Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons the team might find it difficult to play Axar Patel in the final XI after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel named Shubman Gill as vice-captain for the Asia Cup.
With Gill getting appointed as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy, there is no doubt that Sanju Samson’s place as an opener has come under scrutiny. Earlier, Axar Patel was India’s T20I vice-captain and his removal from the leadership role has raised questions about his place in the playing XI.
Patel has performed consistently for the team in the shortest format and he has done a good job whenever he has been used as a floater. Chopra reckons Jitesh Sharma would be part of the XI, which would make it difficult for Patel.
“There is another twist in the tale. When Shubman Gill opens, Sanju Samson loses his place, but how will you fit Axar Patel as the keeper will come in the middle? It means the middle order you had of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Axar, and after that, Shivam Dube, one of them will be Jitesh Sharma,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“As soon as Jitesh Sharma comes, what is Axar Patel’s mistake? I don’t think he will get to bat up the order, although he has done well whenever he has batted up the order, and in bowling as well. However, he has been made slightly dispensable now, which is a sad thing. Why did you make him the vice-captain?” he added.
The renowned commentator reckons the team will have to bat Axar Patel at number eight if Shivam Dube takes the number seven position.
“Because of him being removed, when you sit and make the XI, and you will need a batter at No. 8, you will find Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, you will want Hardik Pandya at No. 5, and Jitesh Sharma at No. 6. If you keep Dube at No. 7, you will play Axar at No. 8,” he said.
The former Delhi cricketer reckons Patel’s role in the team would be drastically reduced after he was stripped of the leadership role.
“Suddenly, Axar’s role will be minimized. As a batter, you have cut his wings totally. That makes him a little dispensable. Now you can leave him out. You couldn’t have left him out had he been the vice-captain. I feel Bapu has been treated slightly harshly. Don’t forget that he won the World Cup and did very well for Delhi in the IPL, but he is on the receiving end this time,” Chopra observed.
India will open their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10.
