Irfan Pathan backs Axar Patel’s inclusion for IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup Super 8 match

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants India to play Axar Patel in the Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Patel was dropped for the Group stage match against the Netherlands and also could not get his chance against South Africa as India backed Washington Sundar because of the number of left-handers in the opposition’s batting line-up.

Patel, despite being the vice-captain of the team, has been surprisingly dropped in the last two games. On the other hand, Washington Sundar  returned with figures of 0-17 in two overs he bowled against South Africa. Furthermore, the left-hander was dismissed after scoring a run-a-ball 11.

Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube Channel, “Axar Patel has to play. Axar Patel is a very, very experienced player. He is a very skilled bowler, even against left-hand batsmen. So he has to play. I really believe he has to play. In the next match, right or left, just bring him in. He is your vice-captain and has been dropped, but he will have to be included. In my opinion, he definitely should be brought in.”

Pathan said Rinku Singh also needs to fire with the bat while batting down the order after the left-hander was dismissed for a duck against South Africa.

He added, “Rinku’s runs have also not come. He is excellent in the field, but he needs to score with the bat. Going for big shots immediately is also an issue.”

The former swing bowler said Indian batters need to improve their game against the spinners as they have not been able to deliver.

“So, this problem we are talking about is a very old one. Even now, our batting struggles against spin and variations. I had mentioned some numbers, our run rate against spinners is below seven. That needs to improve. Our skills against spin need to get better in the long term. Look, it is possible that we win the next two matches and reach the semifinals. That can definitely happen, and that is what you expect from the Indian team. But in the larger picture, the way we play spin, we need to improve. That needs improvement.”

The 2007 T20 World Cup final hero said Indian batters need to change gears against the spinners with low risk boundaries.

“How will we improve? If we play in just one gear, it will be difficult. We need to change gears, find low-risk boundaries, and work on our skills. Right now, it feels like my way or the highway. If that continues, problems will arise. The innings Surya played against the USA, we need such kind of one or two in-form batters in the team. Tilak Varma generally becomes very crucial in such situations, but here there will be some pressure on him,” he added.

India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.