Axar Patel leading the race to replace the suspended Ravindra Jadeja

The suspension of Ravindra Jadeja from the third and final Test between India and Sri Lanka at Pallekele has opened the gates for left arm-spinner Axar Patel to make his Test debut for India. Patel who has featured in One Day Internationals and T20 Internationals for the national team is yet to represent India in the white jersey.

Jadeja’s ban:

Ravindra jadeja who grabbed the Man of the Match award in the 2nd Test has been suspended for a match under ICC’s new rule. The reason behind the same is that Jadeja threw the ball at the batsman, directed towards the wicket, after the final delivery of the 58th over though the batsman did not leave the crease. The umpires stated that the ball was thrown in ‘a dangerous manner’ and i missed Dimuth Karunaratne by a whisker. ICC match referee Richie Richardson imposed the suspension after Jadeja admitted his offence.

Axar Patel is currently representing the India ‘A’ side under the coaching of Rahul Dravid in a Tri series involving South Africa and Afghanistan. Patel might be called upon as a replacement revealed the sources. In case the all-rounder makes it to the squad he will have to take the flight to Sri lanka directly from South Africa. Considering the dominance of the left arm spinners in the series, the Indians are looking to replace a left arm spinner by a left arm spinner.

The Gujarat-born cricketer has performed brilliantly whenever he got the opportunity to play for the national team. But with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin available Axar Patel has always remained suppressed. Axar also has a fair chance of making it to the ODI squad when India faces Sri Lanka in the 50 over format right after the completion Test series.

Axar has taken 6 wickets from 3 matches so far in the Tri Series with an average of 15.50.​ His best bowling was against Afghanistan A where he took 3/33. Axar has also played 30 ODI’s for India and has picked 35 wickets.