Reports: Axar Patel to be omitted from India’s playing XI vs Bangladesh

With Team India gearing up for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19, in Chennai, the most talked about topic is the playing XI. Reports suggest a potentially significant strategy shift, with the team management considering a surprising omission from the lineup. This decision, reportedly made by captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir, could reshape India’s approach to the series.

The Indian cricket team, fresh off a successful 4-1 victory against England in March, is set to continue their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign on home soil. With the Bangladesh series followed by a contest against New Zealand and a crucial tour of Australia around the corner, every decision will be important. The team’s preparation in Chennai has been intense, with players sweating it out under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff.

While Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are certain starters, the choice for the third spinner has become a talking point. Surprisingly, Axar Patel, despite his recent form and impressive Test record, might find himself on the bench for the opening Test.

Kuldeep Yadav likely to partner Ashwin and Jadeja

Reports suggested that Kuldeep Yadav was most likely to get the nod as the third spinner. This decision, if true, is to introduce variety into the spin attack. Kuldeep, with his left-arm wrist spin, offers a different option compared to the finger spin of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar.

However, leaving out Axar would not be a lightly taken decision. His recent performance in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored 86 and 28 for India D against India C, shows his all-round capabilities. With 646 runs at an average over 35 and 55 wickets at a stellar average of 19.34 in just 14 Tests, Axar’s contribution to India’s recent Test successes is something that can’t be ignored.

The Indian team management’s thinking seems to be leaning towards maximizing batting depth while maintaining bowling options. This is evident in the experimentation with part-time bowlers, a trend that has been noticeable in limited-overs cricket under Gambhir’s coaching tenure. The sight of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal bowling leg-breaks in the practice sessions is a clear indicator of this strategy.