Ravichandran Ashwin believes Team India should utilize left-arm spinner Axar Patel with the new ball in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals against England on Thursday. He predicted that the cunning spinner will test English openers Jos Buttler and Philip Salt.
The veteran bowler revealed that Axar Patel has numerous tricks up his sleeve that might make life difficult for Buttler and Salt. Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the knockout match, Ashwin stated:
“A spinner like Axar Patel bowling to Jos Buttler and Salt, he has got two toys. He can bowl a fantastic arm ball. He can slow the ball down. He can also slide it in with the arm. Which makes it three toys in his favour. In the first over, the batter is still getting into the groove. So, when the intent is slightly less, these toys can hit him on the pad. The arm ball that he swings in the back foot, Salt is a tough back foot player. Jos Buttler’s trajectory is low. When you look at it, it is a good thing for Axar Patel to bowl the first over.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
According to Ashwin, Axar has had an excellent run in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He said that he believes the all-rounder will perform well for the Men in Blue in the semifinals:
“Axar Patel in powerplay, especially considering Jos Butler’s match-up against him. He gets him out very often. When you consider that, is that an exceptional case where you can use Axar? It has been Axar’s World Cup. Might not be in terms of wickets or runs. But wherever he turns, in that crucial change-maker, Axar has come three times.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
Axar has five wickets in six outings with an economy rate of 7.21. He has had a great influence with the ball, consistently producing clean spells.
“Jasprit Bumrah has troubled Jos Buttler a lot” – Ravichandran Ashwin on who should bowl for India in the powerplay
In that very same chat Ravichandran Ashwin tossed around the notion that India kick off with leftarm seamer Arshdeep Singh to fully capitalize on the swinging conditions. As a followup he thought Rohit Sharma could toss in Jasprit Bumrah for the second over.
The 37-year-old highlighted that if the pacers aren’t moving, India might turn to Axar Patel instead. He also said that Hardik Pandya may be an option in the powerplay, allowing Sharma to save Bumrah’s overs for the tail end.
Ashwin commented:
“I would say, Arshdeep Singh first over. If the ball swings, second over, maybe Jasprit Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah has troubled Jos Buttler a lot to set up the tone. If the ball doesn’t swing, there is a good chance to go straight to Axar. In fact, I would even think if the ball swings, I will even think of Hardik Pandya. Just so that I want Bumrah cushion in the back half.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
India and England will face off in the second semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup on Thursday, June 27 at Providence Stadium in Guyana.