Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif has strongly criticised the national selectors for overlooking Axar Patel in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, arguing that the all-rounder currently offers more value than Ravindra Jadeja in the 50-over format. Axar last featured in ODIs during India’s tour of Australia in October 2025 and has since been ignored for both the South Africa and New Zealand series, a decision Kaif believes is difficult to justify.
Jadeja, meanwhile, has remained a regular in the squad, but his recent performances have sparked growing debate. The veteran all-rounder has struggled to make an impact with either bat or ball, raising questions about his place in the XI. His inability to deliver breakthroughs in the middle overs or to finish innings with the bat has become a concern, especially as India looks to fine-tune combinations ahead of major ICC events.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif made a direct comparison between the two left-arm all-rounders and did not mince his words. He highlighted Axar’s superior strike rate, six-hitting ability, and versatility with the ball as key reasons why he should be preferred over Jadeja in white-ball cricket. Kaif also pointed out Axar’s effectiveness in the powerplay, an area where India often looks for early breakthroughs against spin-friendly opponents like New Zealand.
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“If you have to choose one of the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja, even in one-day cricket,” Mohammad Kaif said. “Axar can hit sixes, he has a better strike rate, and he can bowl with the new ball. We’ve seen this consistently, including in the IPL. I don’t understand why he’s not even in the squad, especially when New Zealand struggle against spin.”
Kaif further questioned the team management’s decision to back Nitish Kumar Reddy in the XI, suggesting that India already have enough pace options. With Arshdeep Singh sitting out and four seamers in the mix, Kaif felt that including an additional spin-bowling all-rounder would have given the side better balance.
Interestingly, Mohammad Kaif did not call for Jadeja’s outright exclusion. Instead, he proposed playing Axar and Jadeja together, arguing that their bowling styles are different despite both being left-arm spinners. According to him, Jadeja is more effective after the powerplay, while Axar excels with the new ball — a combination that could strengthen India’s bowling unit.
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The numbers add weight to Kaif’s argument. In his last five ODIs, Jadeja has taken just one wicket at an average of 257, conceding runs at an economy rate of 6.11. With the bat, he has managed only 87 runs from four innings. Axar, on the other hand, impressed during the Australia series, scoring 75 runs in two innings and picking up three wickets at a miserly economy of 4.45.
With limited ODI action before the 2027 World Cup and the T20 World Cup approaching, Jadeja finds himself under pressure. For the selectors, Kaif’s comments have once again brought Axar Patel’s omission into sharp focus.
