For the Indian cricket squad, the series versus Australia was a great one. The Rohit Sharma-led team lost the first T20I but rallied in the subsequent two games to win the three-match series 2-1. Axar Patel, a left-arm spinner, stole the show by being named Man of the Series after taking eight wickets in three games. He had the most wickets in the series and was also the most economical (6.30 RPO).
According to former India captain Ajay Jadeja, Axar, who entered the team to replace Ravindra Jadeja, has been a worthy substitute. “He has got his opportunity back. He is not complaining. He has grabbed it with both hands. That’s what happens in Indian cricket. Yes, we all will miss Ravindra Jadeja, but nobody is missing him from that point of view. The role that he was playing. Specially with bowling, I think he has in fact added to it. And he bats pretty well, so he matches there. It’s only fielding where he doesn’t match,” Jadeja stated.
“But when you are playing in a team that’s winning, teams don’t look back to anyone who was there then. From Axar’s point of view, he’ll be wanting to just carry this on, win the World Cup and come back. Then, we will all be wondering how does Ravindra make it to the side again.”
