Debasis Sen, Colombo: Left arm spinner Axar Patel may be included in the Indian test squad for the third and final test match in the ensuing series against Sri Lanka, starting at the Pallekele stadium from August 12. The lanky spinner may come in as a replacement for the suspended Rabindra Jadeja.
Jadeja is serving a suspension imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) under the new rule. The incident happened on the final delivery of the 58th over when Jadeja, after fielding off his own bowling, threw the ball back at the batsman who had not left his crease. The on-field umpires deemed the throwing “in a dangerous manner” as it narrowly missed Dimuth Karunaratne. ICC match referee Richie Richardson imposed the suspension after Jadeja admitted his offence.
Gujarat spinner Axar Patel may come in as a replacement for Jadeja, according to sources. Patel is now playing for India A in the Tri Series in South Africa. India A will be taking on South Africa A in the finals of the Tri Series on Tuesday. In that case he will be flown in to Sri Lanka directly from South Africa.
Axar has been thought as a replacement for Jadeja since he is also a left arm spinner. Given the domination of the left arm spinners in the series so far, he is the best option.
The spinner from Gujarat has been India’s best bowler whenever he has got a chance to play but has been often ignored when the likes of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been available. He is also in line to get a call up for the ODI series which follows the 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.
Last time he played for India in an ODI was against New Zealand at Vizag on October 29. He scored 24 runs and took two wickets in the match.