Ajay Jadeja, the former Indian cricketer has now reflected on the comparisons between both players- Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and referred to the innings from Axar Patel to convey that thriving in pressure situations has made the left-arm spinner a strong competitor to Ravindra Jadeja.
India will be aiming to seal the three-match series against Zimbabwe on Saturday when they take on the hosts in the second ODI in Harare. The KL Rahul-led Indian team had registered an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first game, chasing down a 190-run target in 30.5 overs.
With the ball, Deepak Chahar, Axar Patel, and Prasidh Krishna picked three wickets each while Shubman Gill (82*) and Shikhar Dhawan (81*) steered India to a comprehensive win.
Ajay Jadeja Praised Axar Patel’s Show In The 2nd ODI Against West Indies Where He Won A Game In Pressured Situation
Over the past few months, the emergence of Axar Patel has provided India with a quality spin all-rounder in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja. The seasoned all-rounder has been rested for the ongoing series against Zimbabwe with Axar Patel playing in his place; and the 28-year-old star has produced some brilliant performances for India with both, bat and ball.
Last month, Axar Patel had famously steered India to an unlikely victory, scoring an unbeaten 64 off just 35 deliveries in the second ODI against West Indies to secure a two-wicket win for the visitors in Port of Spain.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has now reflected on the comparisons between both players and referred to the innings from Axar Patel to convey that thriving in pressure situations has made the left-arm spinner a strong competitor to Ravindra Jadeja.
“He has added to the batting so much more in the last few years, you’d think he is quite ahead because he could bat. But with batting, what he did the other day was that he won a game for India.
“There’s a difference between scoring runs and bailing a team out and take the game all the way through and win a game. That adds pressure and it is great for Indian cricket,” Ajay Jadeja said.
Axar Patel starred in the second ODI against Windies, which India won by two wickets. The all-rounder was unbeaten on 64 off 35 deliveries, hammering three fours and five sixes at a strike rate over 182 to help India win from a nowhere position.
The all-rounder slammed a match-winning 64 off 35 deliveries to help India chase down 312 in the final over at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. India hit a snag with quick dismissals during their chase, losing their top-order with 79 runs on the board.
A 99-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson rebuilt the innings, but India was still far from the target. Coming into bat with still over 100 runs left to chase, Axar Patel took it upon himself to guide his team home. In the process, he also recorded his maiden ODI fifty, thereby earning the Player of the Match award.
Ajay Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja Is Only Ahead Of Axar Patel Due To His Fielding Abilities
The former India star Ajay Jadeja also pointed out that the only place where Ravindra Jadeja holds an upper edge is his fielding skills.
“You have got two left-armers who bat left-handed. There’s no competition in the fielding standards, I give Axar credit! The only place where Jadeja is way ahead. Numbers, wickets, Jadeja has been around a lot more. At the moment, they are at par with each other.
“The only thing that really differentiates them is the fielding, he has got that little edge and the experience. Axar is on his back and it’s great for Indian cricket,” Ajay Jadeja further said.
Ravindra Jadeja, who played just two games in the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies, is part of the 15-member Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2022 to be played in the UAE from August 27. The spin-bowling all-rounder is also favoured to be in the Indian squad for the 2022 T20I World Cup to be staged in Australia later this year.