Ravindra Jadeja’s performance made it difficult for me to break into India’s Test squad – Axar Patel

India’s left-arm spinner Axar Patel believes Ravindra Jadeja’s consistent performances made it difficult for left-arm spinners to break into the team’s Test squad.

Jadeja has been a consistent performer for the team in the last decade and he has also improved his batting in the last couple of years.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel was able to grab his opportunity with both hands in the Test series against England in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, who was ruled out due to thumb injury. Patel scalped 27 wickets in the three Test matches and breathed down the neck of the English batsmen. Thus, the spinner from Gujarat didn’t let the team miss the services of Ravindra Jadeja.

Patel bowled with an average of 10.59 and had a dream start to his Test career. The left-arm orthodox spinner was right on the money with his line and length and bowled accurately throughout the series.

“I don’t feel I was lacking anything. Unfortunately, I was injured and lost my place in the ODIs. In Tests, [Ravindra] Jadeja and [Ravichandran] Ashwin were doing well. The way Jadeja was performing, it was very hard for any other left-arm spin all-rounder to find a place. The wrist spinners Kuldeep (Yadav) and (Yuzvendra) Chahal were doing well. It was due to the team combination that I was out. When I got a chance, I just tried to prove myself,” Axar told The Indian Express.

Patel scalped four five wicket hauls and bowled at the top of his game. On the other hand, Patel revealed that he has a great bonhomie with Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant.

“I have a great tuning with him, we are part of the same team in the IPL. He is one of my closest friends. He maintains that lively atmosphere in the team. He will crack jokes, even from behind the wicket. Sometimes in a five-day game if there is a partnership, it’s very tough to kill that time. It’s his role that if he feels that the atmosphere is getting dull, he will crack some jokes, he will pass on comments. It suits him,” Axar said during the same interview.