Fans on Twitter lashed out at Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for underutilising Axar Patel with the ball in the ongoing Test series against Australia. They criticised the captain for the poor management of the all-rounder and said that Steve Smith managed the 3 spinners better at Indore compared to Rohit the entire series.
India underutilising Axar Patel in the series with the ball
It’s fair to say that India hasn’t used Axar Patel as much with the ball in the first three games of the series. The all-rounder has done a staggering job with the bat but with the ball, he hasn’t been given the desired opportunity.
In the first game in Nagpur, the all-rounded bowled just 13 overs and picked 1 wicket in the second innings. He bowled a similar amount of overs in the second and third games in Delhi and Indore respectively.
In the ongoing fourth Test in Ahmedabad, just when Axar Patel looked settled, skipper Rohit took him off and brought in the bowling change. The all-rounder had bowled just 9 overs at the time of writing this piece and was spot-on with his line and lengths.
Out of the 9 overs, Axar bowled 2 maiden overs and conceded just 12 overs. On contrary, his counterparts in R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have bowled more than 15 overs.
Fans on Twitter react as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma underutilises Axar Patel with the ball
As Indian skipper Rohit Sharma underutilises Axar Patel with the ball, fans on Twitter reacted to it. They lashed out at the captain and took a jibe at him, saying that Steve Smith managed the 3 spinners better at Indore compared to Rohit the entire series. Here are some of the reactions:
What could be the reason for Rohit to not have a silly point or a short leg to either of Ashwin or Axar?
Really don't understand this.
Advertisement— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) March 9, 2023
Just hope that Axar is given an extended spell here. Has been devoid of that in the series which I feel has impacted his rhythm a bit.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) March 9, 2023
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This team management's usage of Axar has been brainless. Smith managed the 3 spinners better in the 1st inn at Indore compared to Rohit the entire series. This is even after giveing leeway for Ashwin & Jaddu being world class.
Advertisement— Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit) March 9, 2023
Just when Axar was settling/had settled into a rhythm, he has again been taken off the attack after 4 overs. I thought he was bowling with good control and getting lovely drift into the RHB.
— Sparsh Telang (@_cricketsparsh) March 9, 2023
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Why aren't they bowling Axar?? How is the pitch playing out?
Advertisement— Archith (@UtdArc) March 9, 2023
Axar has been utilised so badly in this series , comes to bat at 9 and gets to bowl after 40 overs even though he’s been our best batsman this series and one of our best bowlers in the last 2 years . Rohit don’t know how to use him
— ARJUN (@Arjun__K_) March 9, 2023
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This is why we were making shit pitches. Bowling not penetrative enough. Certainly not a 3 spinner pitch but Axar probably gets selected as a batsman right now. You get days like these in Test cricket sometimes. Need to somehow get a wicket though. 5 down on Day 1 will be decent.
Advertisement— Nikhil Mehra (@TweetinderKaul) March 9, 2023
Brohit, Axar is a bowler, usko bhi ball do
— depressed ict & mi fan (@sejal_mokal) March 9, 2023
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My only concern with #RohitSharma as a skipper in this series has been the use of Axar with the ball. Yes, you have Ash and Jaddu in the team but you cannot ignore someone who has a great track record. Show some patience with him and trust him with the ball.
Advertisement— Ankit Jit Singh (@JitAnkit) March 9, 2023
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Need to bowl all 3 in rotation. Axar ash and jad. If you bowl 2 in tandem, the batter gets acclimatised
Advertisement— rohan (@rhoehan11) March 9, 2023
Bring back Axar quickly. Handscomb hasn't been confident against him but played Jadeja comfortably throughout the series.
— ∆nkit🏏 (@CaughtAtGully) March 9, 2023
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Axar imo is very good at taking wickets with the arm ball and a hard ball.
AdvertisementThis series he's had to bowl with older soft balls where his low revs is not helping, as the old ball is not drifting in the air (see Jarrod Kimber's video on him). Has been impatient with lengths too.
— Minnie Sharma (@serialchiller23) March 9, 2023
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Wt a clueless captain we hv,
🤯Brings Axar late,jst whn he was settling takes him out.
🤯Nvr plays Kuldeep
🤯Y 2 fast bowlers
🤯 No close in fielders
🤯 Only MI can understand his $hit body languageAdvertisementJst Rohit Things 💩#RohitSharma #ausvsind #Khawaja #ViratKohli𓃵 #dravid
— SaidSo (@Kumar78611) March 9, 2023
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Yesss , I am just so.tired crying match after match on under utilisation of Axar
AdvertisementHe is not being bowled in new ball
He is not being promoted up the orderSome bizarre technique this
Advertisement— Aman | WPL ERA | (@Wierdotweets) March 9, 2023
