Scott Styris on Axar Patel's competition with fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja

Scott Styris has stated that Team India spinner Axar Patel is probably lagging behind veteran India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the race for a spot in the Indian ODI team. Axar smashed an unbeaten 64 runs off just 35 deliveries to take India to the finish line with two wickets in hand in the second ODI against the West Indies on Sunday, July 24. 

Moreover, he was also the most economical Indian bowler in the game, finishing with figures of 1/40 in his nine overs. During an interaction on the Sports 18 show 'Sports Over the Top', Styris was asked about Axar Patel's chances of cementing his place in the XI on the back of his performance in the second ODI in Ravindra Jadeja's absence. 

He responded: "He is probably behind Ravindra Jadeja when you look at that A (full-strength) team. But if you continue to perform like this, then there is no question that you could even play both, that's the best part of it."

Styris also highlighted the area where Axar is at a disadvantage. India is unlikely to play with two left-arm spinners in white-ball cricket. And, both Axar and Jadeja are likely to compete for one spot and Jadeja is probably ahead at the moment.

Scott Styris gives the credit to IPL

He explained: "India do like to pick spinners and a lot of them. You do like the ball turning in both directions, that's the one thing that he does have against him when you compare him to Jadeja."

Styris also praised Axar’s knock in the second ODI against the Windies. He also credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) for helping players on the international stage.

He concluded: "The other thing too is the tournament being in India next year, there is where spinners will play their part, particularly through the middle, and that innings of his is what separated the two teams. His 64 off 35 deliveries, 180 strike rate, that wins you matches, not just in T20s but ODI cricket as well.

"The Indian T20 league where these players get to play those aggressive shots and win matches single-handedly gives them the confidence and they are fearless today. That innings from Axar Patel was exactly that."

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