India promoted Axar Patel over Suryakumar Yadav in the face of a potential collapse against Pakistan in their second match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York today (June 9) - here's why.
In a highly-anticipated fixture, rain threatened to play spoilsport as the toss and start of play were delayed, before there was another break after just one over of the match. Upon resumption though, Pakistan, who chose to field first struck twice quick in succession as Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi got rid of Indian openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma respectively.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant came in at No.3, and Suryakumar Yadav was slotted to come in at four. But there was a surprise as India sent Axar Patel in at 19-2.
Why did India promote Axar ahead of Suryakumar v Pakistan?
One of three all-rounders in the Indian XI, Axar was expected to bat down the order, as a finisher at No.7 or No.8. The reason for his promotion though, may have been to protect India's middle-order batters Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube from Pakistan's pacers, and the movement they were generating in the air and off the pitch.
As a batter with some red-ball pedigree, Axar is no stranger to fulfilling the requirement of seeing off a period of difficult batting conditions. This is in contrast to the likes of 'SKY' and Dube, who are more effective hitters. In tricky conditions, sending Axar up the order as a 'pinch-hitter' was a move that made sense.
Has Axar performed this role before?
He does have experience of doing this in the past. In fact, in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), Axar was sent in at No.3 for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Titans and scored 66 off 43 deliveries. DC also sent him to bat in the sixth over, at No.4, against Rajasthan Royals. He scored 15 on that occasion.
In fact, the last time India met Pakistan in a men's T20 World Cup, Axar was promoted up to No.5 as India lost three wickets for 26 runs in a run-chase of 160. He couldn't make much impact then, as he was run out for two off three balls.
This time though, Axar took his chances when the opportunity presented itself, doing his job to survive the early spell from the pacers. He was dimsmissed for 20 off 18 balls, bowled as he attempted to charge Naseem Shah in the eighth over to leave India at 58-3.
