Irfan Pathan highlights Axar Patel’s importance to India ahead of ICC ODI World Cup
Modified Sep 18, 2023 14:55 IST
Axar Patel’s Injury and World Cup Hopes
- Axar Patel sustained a left quadriceps strain in India’s last Super Four game against Bangladesh.
- Unclear if he will be fully fit and available for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
- Irfan Pathan expresses hope about Axar Patel’s recovery before the tournament.
Importance of Axar Patel’s Batting
During a discussion on Star Sports, Irfan Pathan mentioned:
- Axar Patel’s fitness is extremely necessary for the Indian team at the World Cup.
- Pathan feels India will need Axar’s batting at No. 8 as he has shown form on Sri Lankan pitches.
- Axar Patel possesses a wider array of strokes compared to Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar.
Stats Highlight Axar Patel’s Growth as a Batter
Axar Patel’s batting performance in ODIs:
- 481 runs in 34 innings.
- Average of 20.04.
- Last year: 168 runs in six innings at an average of 42.00 and a strike rate of 120.00.
Washington Sundar as Axar Patel’s Replacement
According to Piyush Chawla:
“If Axar Patel doesn’t get fit, we see Washington Sundar only in his place because once he came, he straightaway played in the final of the Asia Cup.”
Rohit Sharma mentioned that both Ravichandran Ashwin and Sundar will be in the scheme of things for the World Cup if Axar doesn’t recover in time.
