Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023: India's Predicted Playing XI

7. Axar Patel

Axar Patel is one of the top all-rounders in the Indian cricketing circles. He has taken 56 scalps in 49 ODIs and scored 381 runs at a strike rate of 105.24. In Tests, the 28-year-old has bagged 47 wickets in eight games at a staggering average of 14.29 and scored 249 runs in those outings.

Axar was sensational with the ball in the Test series against Bangladesh and picked up eight wickets in two matches at an average of 23.37. On the batting front, the ace all-rounder provided crucial contributions with the bat and scored 52 runs in three innings.

With Ravindra Jadeja not certain to attain full fitness by the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023, one might see Axar playing the all-rounder role at number seven. He has strangled batters with his impeccable lines and lengths and provided the Men in Blue with timely breakthroughs. Further, the southpaw has been in good batting form, having smashed 117 runs in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. He would be itching to make a mark in the marquee Test series against Australia.