Axar Patel is all set to return to Test cricket for the first time since February 2024 in the IND vs WI Test series. The all-rounder has been named in India’s 15-man squad for the two-match series that will commence from October 2 onwards. Patel last featured in a Test for India in February 2024 against England. He was then named in the squad for the series against New Zealand at home but failed to play even a single game.
Axar to return to Tests after 1 year & 8 months
Speaking at a press conference while announcing the squad for IND vs WI Tests, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Axar was picked as an additional spin option for India. The all-rounder will partner with Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja in the upcoming series as India are expected to field a spin-heavy side against West Indies.
“When you travel you take a third opener, here you get an extra spin option in Axar and only pick 15. KL & Jaiswal haven’t done too bad, if we need him we can fly him out,” said Agarkar while responding to a question on Abhimanyu Easwaran’s exclusion.
Having made his Test debut in 2021, Axar has gone on to bag 55 wickets from 14 Tests and has amassed 646 runs, which includes four fifties. 47 out of the 55 wickets that he has picked has come while he played in India. Similarly, 594 out of 646 runs has been scored while playing at home. The only overseas nation that Axar has played in so far is Bangladesh.
However, Axar Patel is unlikely to feature in both the Tests against WI. Firstly, he is a part of India’s Asia Cup team and is expected to play in the final on September 28. Therefore, it remains to be seen if he will be included in the XI for the 1st Test which will begin on October 2. It would be wise to have him though, as India will be playing in Patel’s homeground – the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. Secondly, if included in the XI, then India will be playing with 3 left-arm spinners, with the other two being Jadeja and Kuldeep. The last time India played a Test series at home, Gambhir decided to go with two left-arm spinners in the XI, with Washi as the third one, leaving Axar to warm the bench.
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