Axar Patel has emerged as India’s ODI spin star ahead of the 2027 World Cup | Cricket News

Axar PatelHis match-winning allround show in the first ODI against England in Birmingham on Tuesday may be worth more than his unbeaten 57 and figures of 4/62. This cemented the team management’s long-term plans to make him India’s lead spinner for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.The last eight months have been turbulent for Axar in T20 cricket. In March, he was dropped for a World Cup match against South Africa in Ahmedabad despite being vice-captain and despite spending more than two years establishing himself as an indispensable part of India’s whiteball setup. At that time, he was still ahead Ravindra Jadeja in the pecking order and will play a key role in India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.While his T20 form has fluctuated, India’s ODI plans remain firmly tied to him. TOI has learned that the selectors are reluctant to revisit Jadeja as a first-choice option in the format. With limited over spin-bowling all-rounders available and Kuldeep Yadav Offering little batting depth, management wanted a spinner capable of batting in the top seven while allowing the side to mount a powerful attack suited to South African conditions.“Jadeja’s bowling in white-ball cricket has not been up to the mark for some time. He is playing in the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025 as India expects to tour Dubai. His power-hitting is also not up to the mark during the 2019 World Cup,” a BCCI source told TOI.“Managing the team largely requires a lead spinner in South Africa’s XI. If Washington Sundar plays, it will be a bonus. So Axar’s form is very critical. Harsh Dubey is being groomed as his backup,” added the source. Axar’s resurgence in Birmingham follows a period of scrutiny. The left-hander admitted he has struggled in recent months after trying hard to force runs during T20 innings.“It is very important for me to give this kind of performance. I have to stay focused rather than thinking that it will happen by itself. I feel that I am trying to hit the ball during T20Is,” Axar told the broadcaster after the match. “When you come in to bat in the death overs, you have no choice but to go for the big shots, but I lost my form a little bit. In this game, after we got off to a good start, I just wanted to build a partnership,” he added.Axar spent most of his career in Jadeja’s shadow. Losing Ahmedabad earlier this year was not easy. Yet performances like the one in Birmingham cemented his claim to a role that now carries greater clarity and responsibility. For India, the road to the 2027 World Cup may depend on whether Axar can make the transition from reliable support act to leading man.