'There's difference between scoring runs and taking team to victory' - Ajay Jadeja feels Axar Patel is at par with Ravindra Jadeja

Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja feels that Axar Patel is at par with Ravindra Jadeja. Axar, in the absence of Jadeja, has proved his class and established himself as one of the match-winners for India. While his bowling was always a valuable skill, Axar’s has also improved his batting and recently played a vital innings against the West Indies recently.

However, despite making a very strong impact, the 28-year-old is not a part of India’s Asia Cup squad. He, however, will have a chance to prove his mettle before the T20 World Cup to feature in the squad for the tournament. However, it is not the bowling, but the batting which might help him get into the squad and Ajay Jadeja feels he has got better with the bat.

“He has added to the batting so much more in the last few years, you’d think he (Jadeja) is quite ahead because he could bat. But with batting, what he did the other day was that he won a game for India (against West Indies). There’s a difference between scoring runs and bailing a team out and take the game all the way through and win a game. That adds pressure and it is great for Indian cricket,” said Ajay Jadeja on Sony Six.

Only thing that really differentiates them is the fielding: Ajay Jadeja

The former cricketer also said that it is the fielding that differentiates the two cricketers. Axar, who came into the team as a bowling all-rounder, can strengthen the claim by playing well against quality opponents. However, in the presence of Jadeja, he hardly gets an opportunity. 

“Numbers, wickets, Jadeja has been around a lot more. At the moment, they are on par with each other. The only thing that really differentiates them is the fielding, he has got that little edge and the experience. Axar is on his back, and it’s great for Indian cricket,” said the 51-year-old.