Axar hopes the numbers start adding up for him

Axar Patel wasn't on the flight to Australia last November.

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: He is the vice-captain for the T20Is series. Not all decisions make sense, but Patel is still here. And now that Indian cricket is going through an inevitable transition, this may be the most opportune time for him to establish himself as an all-format indispensable.

There have been many occasions over the last few years - at home mostly - when Patel was called upon as the backup for Ravindra Jadeja. Like-for-like, many have pointed out, but more a triumph of skills if you go through Patel's career graph, especially in the 2021-22 Test season where he had bagged five five-wicket hauls.

Similar batting averages, but a better bowling strike rate than Jadeja suggests Patel is more than ready to take over whenever the slow left-arm bowling slot is vacated in red-ball cricket.