Former India batter Kris Srikkanth has launched a sharp critique of India's One Day International team balance. He specifically questions the continued absence of all-rounder Axar Patel from the playing eleven. Srikkanth made these remarks following India's seven-wicket defeat against New Zealand in Rajkot.
India's Bowling Struggles Exposed
The visitors chased down a target of 285 runs with considerable ease. This result leveled the three-match series at one win each. Srikkanth pointed directly to India's lack of a reliable sixth bowling option as a critical weakness. With Washington Sundar ruled out due to injury, Ravindra Jadeja currently stands as India's only spin-bowling all-rounder in the lineup.
Jadeja's Form Under Scrutiny
Srikkanth expressed his concern over Jadeja's recent performances. "Jadeja is one of my favourite players," Srikkanth stated on his YouTube channel. "But he does not seem to know what to do. He looks caught between attacking and giving the ball flight." The statistics from the Rajkot match support this observation. Jadeja returned wicketless figures of zero for forty-four runs from his eight overs. He failed to provide a crucial breakthrough when the team needed it most.
A Strong Case for Axar Patel
The former selector made a compelling argument for Axar Patel's immediate inclusion. He questioned the rigid team template that seems to favor medium-pace all-rounders. "It is an open secret — why not bring Axar back?" Srikkanth asked. "Why can't you play three spinners and three pacers? Is there a rule that the bowling all-rounder must be a medium pacer?"
Srikkanth emphasized that while replacing Hardik Pandya remains impossible, Axar presents the ideal candidate to fill the void. "Axar would have been the ideal candidate today," he asserted. "The sixth bowler was missing." He highlighted Axar's proven track record in major tournaments, noting his performances in the Champions Trophy and his role in winning the T20 World Cup.
Backing the Argument with Numbers
Axar Patel's One Day International statistics strongly support Srikkanth's argument. The left-arm spinner has taken seventy-five wickets in sixty-six innings. He maintains an impressive economy rate of 4.49 runs per over. Additionally, Axar has contributed 859 valuable runs with the bat, showcasing his genuine all-round capabilities.
Broader Bowling Concerns
Srikkanth did not limit his criticism to the spin department alone. He termed India's overall bowling performance "very ordinary" beyond the initial new-ball spells. He pointed to a lack of flexibility in the attack, citing the example of Nitish Kumar Reddy bowling only two overs. "There is no option of a sixth bowler at all," Srikkanth reiterated. He suggested the team management could have taken more tactical risks, especially when Kuldeep Yadav struggled to find his rhythm.
Captain Gill Acknowledges Middle-Over Issues
India's stand-in captain, Shubman Gill, echoed some of these concerns in the post-match press conference. He identified the failure to take wickets during the middle overs as the decisive factor in the loss. Despite early strikes by the Indian bowlers, New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell and Will Young built a massive, match-winning partnership. Mitchell scored a brilliant 131 runs, while Young contributed 87.
Gill admitted that the Indian team could have been "a little bit braver" during that critical phase of the game. He also stressed the high cost of missed opportunities in the field. These errors rendered KL Rahul's excellent century of 112 runs insufficient for a winning total.
The debate around team composition and balance is sure to intensify as India prepares for the series decider. Srikkanth's forceful comments have put the spotlight squarely on the selection committee's thinking and the team's strategic flexibility.
