Axar PatelHis all-round match-winning performance in the first ODI against England at Birmingham on Tuesday could go far beyond his unbeaten 57 and figures of 4/62. This reinforces the team management’s long-term plan to make him the chief spinner of the Indian team for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.The past eight months have been tumultuous for Axar in the world of T20 cricket. He was dropped from the World Cup against South Africa in Ahmedabad in March this year, despite being vice-captain and having spent more than two years making himself an integral part of India’s white-ball squad. During that time, he was even ahead of Ravindra Jadeja Played a key role in India winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.Despite the fluctuations in his T20 performances, India’s ODI plans remain firmly linked to him. TOI understands that the selectors are not willing to revisit Jadeja as the first option in the format. The number of spin bowling all-rounders is limited; Kuldeep Yadav With limited batting depth, the management wants a spinner to bat in the front seven while allowing the team to run a pace attack that suits South Africa’s conditions.“Jadeja’s bowling in white-ball cricket has not been up to par for some time now. He played in the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025 as India expected a turn in the pitches in Dubai. His batting power was also not up to the level it was during the 2019 World Cup,” a BCCI source told TOI.“The team management needs a chief spinner in South Africa’s eleven in a big way. It will be an added bonus if Washington Sundar comes on. That’s why Axar’s form is so important. The source added: “Harsh Dube is being groomed as his replacement.” Axar’s resurgence at Birmingham comes after a period of introspection. The left-hander admitted that he has struggled in recent months after pushing the pace too hard in T20 innings.“It’s very important for me to achieve a performance like this. I have to stay focused and not think it will happen automatically. I felt I hit the ball too hard during the T20Is,” Axar told broadcasters after the match. “When you bat in the death overs, you don’t have any other option but to go for big shots, but I kind of lost my form. In this match, after we got off to a good start, I just wanted to build a partnership,” he added.Aqsa spent most of his career in Jadeja’s shadow. It wasn’t easy being left out in Ahmedabad earlier this year. However, performances like that at Birmingham strengthened his demands for the role, which now has greater clarity and responsibility. For India, the path to the 2027 World Cup is likely to hinge on whether Aksa can transform from reliable supporter to leading figure.
