The utility factor: Flexibility of Axar makes him the key

The 31-year-old does whatever the team needs him to without much fuss. India lead 5-match T20I series 2-1 with final game scheduled for today

- Somshuvra Laha

Trying to understand how Axar Patel could be the key to unlocking India's batting flexibility feels appropriate as Australia aim to square the five-match series at Brisbane on Saturday.

Central to that must be finding a way to negate Patel. It's an uphill task though, since Patel is the new-age allrounder looking to stretch the scope of his job description, giving India a resounding edge in the buildup to the T20 World Cup early next year.

Patel donning the role of a floating batter isn't surprising because he can be a sweet timer of the ball. And because it had gotten him so far, it's not entirely surprising that Gautam Gambhir has tapped him for the position.

Two performances justify this conviction. Etched in the mind is the 31-ball 47 that Patel scored after walking in at 34/3. India couldn't afford more wickets, but neither could they have risked the innings getting stalled. Patel's batting however had an unbeatable risk-reward ratio, a wide range of boundary shots tempered by the ability to steadily rotate the strike.