Former Cricketer Criticises Axar Patel's Promotion to Number Five in New Zealand ODI Series

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is facing heavy criticism for his poor performance while batting at the number five position in the ongoing ODI series in New Zealand. After getting out for a duck in the first ODI, he scored only seven runs in the second match. Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has openly questioned the team management's decision to promote Axar ahead of KL Rahul, who is the regular choice for that batting slot. Ganesh stated on social media that while Axar can manage the fifth position at home, he cannot handle the conditions in SENA countries, which include South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. He added that Axar is unsuited for the role, can only play occasional short cameos rather than long innings, and urged the team to stop experiments as the ODI World Cup approaches by putting KL Rahul back at number five. Statistical records highlight a clear difference between the two players in this position. Axar has batted at number five in ODI cricket 13 times, scoring 365 runs with an average of 30.41 and a strike rate of 87.11. Out of these, 11 instances happened while Gautam Gambhir was serving as the head coach. Meanwhile, KL Rahul boasts a much stronger record at the same spot with 1,646 runs at a high average of 68.58, which includes four centuries and 10 half-centuries. However, since Gambhir took charge as head coach, Rahul has mostly batted lower down at number six, managing 371 runs across his last 17 innings with an average of 37.10.

Context

Batting order experiments during bilateral series often spark intense debate among former players and fans, especially when established specialists are shifted to accommodate all-rounders. Cricket teams frequently test different combinations in overseas conditions to check player adaptability ahead of major global tournaments. In this case, the public comparison between Axar Patel and KL Rahul's numbers under the current coaching staff has brought selection strategy into sharp focus.