Aakash Chopra on Axar Patel (Source – X)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have released the squad for the upcoming T20I series against England. Axar Patel, who has not featured for the Indian team, since the South Africa tour in November 2024, has been named as the vice-captain of the side, while Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the team in the five-match T20I series. Also, Mohammed Shami has made a much-awaited comeback with the series.
Soon after the squad was released, former India cricketer turned commentator, Aakash Chopra welcomed the news of Axar joining the fray. He also highlighted that the all-rounder was looked over ever since the T20 World Cup 2024, where he performed in crucial games. In his last T20I series, Axar picked three wickets and scored 35 runs against South Africa in four games. staff
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“Axar Patel has been appointed the vice-captain. He is given very few chances. It seemed like he was being treated unfairly every time. So the selection committee said this time that they would make him the vice-captain. He will have to be played now and made to bowl his entire quota of overs,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
“Axar Patel had a huge role in winning the World Cup, including the final. However, he is either not given a bowl or not made to bat. It was beyond my understanding why Axar Patel wasn’t being treated properly. Now he can discuss with Surya and ask him to let him bowl three to four overs,” he added.
India’s T20I squad for England series
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar.