Former India opener Aakash Chopra hailed India’s all-rounder Axar Patel for his batting performance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, Chopra was also highly critical of India’s below-par batting performance for the third time in a row.
Axar Patel scored 33 off 57 balls in the first ODI with 2 fours and 1 six and almost took India home. But he was dismissed in the 41st over of the match and the game ended in a tie.
In the second ODI, the left-hander was more aggressive in his batting approach on a spin-friendly surface. While some famed Indian batters were struggling, Axar scored a brilliant 44 off 44 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Also read: “We don’t take 10 wickets” – Aakash Chopra accuses Rohit Sharma and Co. of complacency after ODI series loss vs Sri Lanka
Aakash Chopra hails Axar Patel for his batting performance against Sri Lanka
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra spoke about India’s disappointing performance against Sri Lanka. In the video, Chopra also heaped praises on Axar Patel for his valuable batting performances during the series.
“Axar Patel was our second-best batter believe it or not. After Rohit Sharma, his batting was the best (for India). So, he really played well,” Aakssh Chopra stated in his YouTube video.
Axar Patel’s batting has significantly improved over the past few years which has seen him rise over Ravindra Jadeja in India’s limited over formats. He scored 79 runs in three matches in the ODIs against Sri Lanka at an average of 26.33.
Axar Patel’s useful batting performances
Not only in ODIs, he has been an improved batter in T20Is as well. In the T20 World Cup 2024, he was preferred over Ravindra Jadeja on numerous occasions. In the all-important final against South Africa, Axar scored a match-winning knock of 47 off 31 balls while batting at No. 5. He smashed 1 four and 4 sixes during his knock but missed out on a well-deserved half-century as he was run out by Quinton de Kock.
Axar has been in and around the Indian side for a long time but has got limited opportunities due to the presence of Ravindra Jadeja in India’s squad. Both Jadeja and Axar have similar skillsets which makes it difficult to play both of them in the same playing XI.
Axar Patel’s record in ODI cricket
The 30-year-old is one of India’s first-choice players in all the formats. In ODI cricket, he has scored 568 runs in 60 ODIs at an average of 19.58 and a strike rate of 93.57. He has struck two fifties in the format. With the ball, he has picked up 64 wickets at an average of 32.56 and a miserly economy rate of 4.49
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel were India’s brightest spots with the bat against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma emerged as the highest run-getter of the series with 157 runs in three matches at an average of 52.33 and a brilliant strike rate of 141.44.