Gavaskar: Nothing special about Axar Patel
India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has come out and said that left-arm bowler Axar Patel should not be considered as a Test cricketer because he is not that a good spinner.
The 21 year-old Patel was over-looked for India's Test squad for their upcoming tour to Sri Lanka in favour of Amit Mishra, who will be going to their Asian neighbours as the third spinner in the squad behind Ravi Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh.
Gavaskar, who scored more than 10 000 runs in Test cricket for India, says he does not know why so much hype is made about Axar., who has aleady played 18 ODIs and two T20s for India.
A right-handed batsman in his day, Gavaskar said: "No, Axar Patel is not an alternative spinner India should be looking for. He just rolls the ball, he does not have the flight and his deliveries are very much predictable.
"He does not turn the ball unless the pitch is favourable. He is slightly slower than medium pace. Yes, Ashwin, Harbhajan, Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma are the spinners India can look for but certainly not Axar Patel."
India will play three Test matches in Sri Lanka starting on 12 August.
Latest
-
NewsLancashire sign New Zealand pair Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme
The all-rounders will be available to play in the LV= Insurance County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast throughout the season.
-
EnglandJos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
South AfricaTemba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
EnglandJos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
EnglandJason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
EnglandEngland batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
EnglandJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
EnglandEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's CricketEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
EnglandJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.