Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that the Indian team might find it difficult to adjust Axar Patel in their middle order in the 2025 Asia Cup as well. He wondered why he was appointed the vice-captain in India’s last T20I series against England when he isn’t even sure in the playing XI now as well. Notably, the 2025 Asia Cup is slated to take place in the UAE from September 9 onwards.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “There is another twist in the tale. When Shubman Gill opens, Sanju Samson loses his place, but how will you fit Axar Patel as the keeper will come in the middle? It means the middle order you had of Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Axar, and after that, Shivam Dube, one of them will be Jitesh Sharma.”
“As soon as Jitesh Sharma comes, what is Axar Patel’s mistake? I don’t think he will get to bat up the order, although he has done well whenever he has batted up the order, and in bowling as well. However, he has been made slightly dispensable now, which is a sad thing. Why did you make him the vice-captain?” he further added.
READ HERE: Shubman Gill Takes Sly Dig At His Critics After India Win At Edgbaston
However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Axar Patel’s removal as vice-captain shows that he might have to bat at No. 8 as well.
“Because of him being removed, when you sit and make the XI, and you will need a batter at No. 8, you will find Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, you will want Hardik Pandya at No. 5, and Jitesh Sharma at No. 6. If you keep Dube at No. 7, you will play Axar at No. 8,” he said.
“Suddenly, Axar’s role will be minimized. As a batter, you have cut his wings totally. That makes him a little dispensable. Now you can leave him out. You couldn’t have left him out had he been the vice-captain. I feel Bapu has been treated slightly harshly. Don’t forget that he won the World Cup and did very well for Delhi in the IPL, but he is on the receiving end this time,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
