The left-arm spinner has moved up in the selectors’ plans, and veteran Ravindra Jadeja is no longer regarded as the format’s top pick. Axar Patel’s game-winning all-around performance in the first ODI against England is credited with solidifying his position as India’s primary spinning all-rounder before to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Axar played a crucial role in India’s six-wicket victory at Edgbaston, returning stats of 4/62 before hitting an unbeaten 57 off 52 balls during the chase. The report claims that his overall performance helped India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and reinforced the management’s long-term preparations for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.
According to The Times of India, India’s selectors and team management were hoping for a performance akin to Axar’s in Birmingham as they begin assembling their squad for the forthcoming ODI World Cup.
Axar is presently considered the front-runner to lead India’s spin all-around department in the 50-over format, according to the article, and his most recent performance has further reinforced this belief.
The article claims that India’s chosen spinning all-rounder in One-Day International cricket is no longer Ravindra Jadeja.
The selectors claim that the veteran’s bat finishing abilities are no longer up to the team’s standards and that his white-ball bowling has not been as successful in recent years. “Ravindra Jadeja bowling in white-ball cricket hasn’t been up to the mark for some time.”
India anticipated turning pitches in Dubai, thus he participated in the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025. According to a BCCI source cited by TOI, “His power-hitting too isn’t at the level it was during the 2019 World Cup.”
According to the article, the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja in India’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy was mostly driven by the expectation of spin-friendly conditions in Dubai rather than being a long-term strategy.
With 210 appearances, 232 wickets, and 2,905 runs at an average of 32.28, the seasoned all-rounder has had an outstanding ODI career for India. However, Axar Patel appears to have established himself as India’s best spin-bowling all-rounder as the 2027 ODI World Cup preparations get momentum, and the selectors appear to be focusing on the future.
