Mohammad Kaif Criticizes Selectors for Not Choosing Axar Patel in ODI Series Against New Zealand
Former Indian cricketer and current commentator Mohammad Kaif has expressed his disappointment with the selectors for leaving all-rounder Axar Patel out of the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. Kaif believes that Axar is a superior player compared to Ravindra Jadeja, who has struggled to perform lately.
Axar last featured in ODI matches during the Australia tour in October 2025 and has since been omitted from the roster for subsequent series against South Africa and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Jadeja’s recent performance has raised concerns, as he has had difficulty taking wickets and finishing games.
Kaif criticized the selectors on his YouTube channel, emphasizing Axar’s ability to score runs quickly and bowl effectively during the powerplay. He stated, “If given a choice, Axar is definitely a better option than Jadeja in one-day cricket. His strike rate and hitting skills surpass those of Jadeja. This has been evident in IPL as well. In white-ball cricket, Axar is leading not only in batting but also in bowling. It’s surprising that he’s not part of the squad, especially when New Zealand struggles against spin. With Arshdeep already sidelined, there are four pacers in play.”
He also recommended that both Axar and Jadeja be included in the playing XI to strengthen the team’s balance, instead of opting for Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Kaif pointed out, “I believe Jadeja and Axar should play together. Having Axar in the last match instead of Reddy would have improved our balance. While both bowlers are left-arm spinners, they have different styles. Jadeja often bowls after the powerplay, while Axar performs well with the new ball.”
In his last five ODIs, Jadeja has taken only one wicket with an average of 257 and an economy rate of 6.11. Batting-wise, he has scored 87 runs from four innings at a strike rate of 90.62. Conversely, Axar has been effective in his last series, scoring 75 runs from two innings at an average of 37.50 and capturing three important wickets with an impressive economy of 4.45.
As the T20 World Cup approaches, Axar has been rested for the current series. With limited matches before the 2027 ODI World Cup, Jadeja must work quickly to prove his place on the team.
Published By: Rishabh Beniwal
Published On: Jan 17, 2026
