3 reasons why Axar Patel should be in India’s squad for England tour

Indian selectors are all set to sit down across the table and pick the side for the upcoming Test series against England. There are to be massive changes on the side with a slew of retirements that have taken place in recent times. Ravichandran Ashwin retired from all forms of cricket in the middle of the Australian series. Rohit Sharma has already retired from the Test format, and Virat Kohli is likely to follow suit. 

With India’s spin resources shrinking, Axar Patel will be looking to make his way back to the Test side. The 31-year-old has been at the top of his game in the white-ball format and is currently leading the Delhi Capitals’ side in IPL 2025. Axar Patel made his Test debut in early 2021 at home against England and played a key role with the ball in the series win. 

Patel’s last of 14 Test matches came in early 2024 against England in Visakhapatnam. In that game, Patel scored 72 runs with the bat and picked up just two wickets before being dismissed. Ravindra Jadeja is set to be the leader of the spin attack with Ashwin having retired. Kuldeep Yadav is also likely to be included for the five-match series as the second spinner. 

Here are the three reasons why Axar Patel should be part of India’s squad for England tour

3. Best replacement for Ravindra Jadeja 

Axar Patel has been playing international cricket since 2014, but the all-rounder has become a key part of the white-ball format in recent times. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have held sway as far as spin bowling is concerned at home. Jadeja has been India’s preferred choice as a lead spinner in away games. Jadeja is set to turn 37 later this year, and his career is also hurtling towards the end. Axar Patel could be positioned as the like-for-like replacement for Jadeja in Test cricket. The upcoming tour of England could kickstart the transition for an eventual Jadeja Test retirement. 

2. Prior record against England 

In the five Test matches that Axar has played against England, he has scored 188 runs with an average of 23. With the ball, Patel has picked 32 wickets with four five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul. Axar Patel could be a handy bowler with his ability to maintain a tight line and length against an English side that will be looking to play their brand of Bazball cricket. Patel has dismissed Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow thrice so far and also got the better of Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes twice. Each of these players will be expected to be part of the English side in the five-match series at home and pose potential dangers with the bat. 

1. Competent lower-order batter 

One of the biggest reasons why Axar Patel should be part of the Indian squad for the England series is his ability to lend depth to the batting order. Patel has scored 646 runs so far in his Test career with an average of 35 and has hit four fifties. Axar has batted in the middle and lower-middle order so far in his Test career. Axar Patel has batted at number nine, where he has scored 235 runs with an average of 33. Patel has also enjoyed success at number eight, scoring 143 runs with two fifties and an average of 47 with the bat. India’s batting has struggled in the Test arena, and Axar’s inclusion could be the much-needed shot in the arm in England.