AXAR CONUNDRUM

WHEN Axar Patel made his debut in the second Test against England the last time they toured, it seemed like a long overdue reward. A chance that came after being on standby for the longest time to one of the most prolific left-arm spinners in the world - Ravindra Jadeja. But the thing with Axar was, when he got the chance, he grabbed it with both hands.

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Having started with seven wickets in the game including a fifer, by the time the series ended, it seemed like he had ensured a place in the playing XI every time India played a home Test. After all, he had taken 27 wickets in six innings at an average of 10.59. Such was his dominance that another leftarm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, seemed to have gone down the pecking order. However, three years and 13 home Tests since his debut, Axar might still not be a certainty with Jadeja fit and available for the third Test against England that is set to be played in Rajkot from Thursday.

Since the last time India toured England, the hosts have ten home Tests off which Axar has featured in nine. In those 17 innings, he has taken only 20 wickets, seven less than what he took in his debut series.

Granted the pitches were rank turners as they were for the 2021 England series, but when the same team arrived in Hyderabad last month, a lot more was expected off Axar. In the first Test, he returned with 3/107 in 29 overs. Apart from his minimal return with the ball, the fact that Axar couldn't keep it tight became a worri some factor. Now, to be fair, Jadeja and R Ashwin too went for runs, but they are proven performers. It's Axar's spot that Kuldeep is pushing for.