Dinesh Karthik says Axar Patel hasn’t been at his best in Asia Cup, wants team to keep backing him

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik reckons Axar Patel hasn’t been at his absolute best in the Asia Cup with neither bat nor ball. Patel has looked a bit rusty and he could not add the finishing touches in the Super Fours clash against Bangladesh as he trudged to 10 runs off 15 balls.

Patel has scored 57 runs in three innings of the continental tournament at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 132.55. Furthermore, the left-arm orthodox spinner has scalped four wickets in six games at an average of 28 and an economy rate of 7.

However, Patel had delivered consistently for India in the white-ball formats and he would look to bounce back strongly.

Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz, “I think he’s been slightly off-color in this tournament so far. With the bat as well, a bit rusty. With the ball, he’s tended to bowl slightly short in trying to preempt what the batsman is doing. But you’ve got to back him. He’ been such an elite bowler and a terrific performer in T20 cricket. But it’s definitely not been his best tournament, without a doubt.”

Meanwhile, India haven’t been at their best in the field in the Asia Cup and they had dropped a total of 10 catches in the Super Fours clash against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Speaking on India’s fielding, Karthik said, “In this tournament, India head and shoulders above everybody else with batting and bowling, but very ordinary on the field. I don’t think you can not speak about that. It’s an area to be addressed, but it’s a bit too late in this tournament.”

India will need to come up with an improved performance in the field in the all-important final against Pakistan.