Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the selectors for not picking Axar Patel for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. Chopra highlighted that Patel has not played consistently for India and thus the selectors should explain the reason behind his exclusion. Patel played in the first Test match against the Proteas at Eden Gardens, but was dropped from the second game at Guwahati.
Patel has done a decent job for India in the white-ball and also played a crucial knock in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has returned to the ODI setup after he was not picked for the Australia ODIs.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Axar’s non-selection, I do not understand. Ravindra Jadeja has come in. This makes it clear that only one of the two can play in the XI. It feels like a game of musical chairs, unless somebody tells us otherwise. How can you rest Axar? He didn’t go to England. After IPL, Axar Patel didn’t play any cricket till Asia Cup. It was a break of 3-4 months.
“He didn’t play the two Tests against West Indies. He played a few white ball games in Australia. Then he played a match in Eden Gardens, but he was not picked for the Guwahati Test. He has barely played any cricket. Why does he need a break unless there is a niggle? But if there is a niggle, just inform everyone,” the 48-year-old went on to add.
On the other hand, the former Indian opener backed Harshit Rana’s inclusion in the ODI series against the Proteas. Rana returned with impressive figures of 4-39 in the third ODI against Australia.
“Harshit Rana. Let me remind you, the last match he played for India in ODIs, he took four wickets. Will you still not select him? Prasidh Krishna is also there. Arshdeep Singh is also there.”
The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, on Sunday.
