5 Indian players for whom New Zealand home series could be the last chance to prove their worth

2. Axar Patel

For Axar Patel, the year 2021 has been utterly blissful. At the start of the year, the all-rounder became a hero in India’s home Test series against England that also then paved his way into white-ball cricket. Also, since his senior- Ravindra Jadeja was enduring an injury, Axar was eventually perceived to be his ideal replacement.

The cricketer even in the IPL proved his white-ball worth as for the DC franchise, his left-arm spin bagged him a total of 15 wickets from 12 games in the 2021 season. Perhaps such an exemplary patch in 2021 has commendably made him a multi-format player but in the near future, even his place looks to be in ambivalence.

To keep himself afloat in India’s white-ball cricket, the 27-year old will constantly face a challenge from a few bunches of all-rounders. Specifically, as Axar is perceived as Ravindra Jadeja’s deputy, the all-rounder will face a strong heat once Washington Sundar makes his comeback in white-ball cricket. At present, with someone like Venkatesh Iyer also being named in the T20I squad, the youngster will get examined for his secondary role.

And eventually with both Ravindra Jadeja and even Hardik Pandya being available, surely India’s white-ball team won’t indulge in a superfluity of all-rounders in their playing squad. Hence in the upcoming T20I series against NZ, Axar Patel will have to fire on all cylinders to continue his establishment in team India’s limited-overs affairs.