Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja said that it is quite difficult to choose between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja as the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder for the Test format. While Ravindra Jadeja is not in action due to a knee injury and is not taking part in India’s Test squad against Bangladesh, Axar Patel picked up five wickets across the two innings in the first Test, including 4/77 in the second innings as well.

During a discussion on Sony Sports, Ajay Jadeja said: “All players are good. In fact, his (Axar’s) numbers are the best. What he did in this first match, whether he played in India, and the one match he got overseas now, his numbers are the best. He had an average of 12 in India, even Ashwin does not have that, no bowler has it in India.”

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He also shared that both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja bring similar aspects to the table. Meanwhile, Axar Patel has claimed 44 wickets at an average of 13.00 in the seven Tests he has played so far as well. He has scalped 39 wickets at an even better average of 12.43 in six home Tests as well.

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“It is extremely difficult to pick between the two. Both are left-armers and it is not that they have different skills. Kuldeep Yadav beats the batters in the air, both of them beat the batters from the surface. They need the surface. There is no better bowler than both of them when the surface is dangerous but if the surface is flat and there is no help from the surface, then who is better between the two, that will be one factor to decide. Ravindra has scored big runs in batting and Axar has shown potential. There is no comparison in fielding. Do a transition if you feel someone will get better. If you feel the game is what you have seen for the last two to four years, then go with today’s performance,” Ajay Jadeja concluded.