Ravindra Jadeja has become a major talking point in Indian cricket recently due to a noticeable decline in form. As debates over his future intensify, one name that has emerged strongly as a potential replacement is Axar Patel.
Axar has been part of the Indian setup for years, but Jadeja has traditionally been viewed as an irreplaceable fixture. Axar, meanwhile, has often found himself in and out of the squad.
Let’s examine whether Axar can step into Jadeja’s role in the Indian team, based on current form and statistical comparisons.
Ravindra Jadeja, now 37, has already retired from T20Is and is currently available only for Tests and ODIs. Axar, in contrast, remains a regular contender across all three formats.
Jadeja vs Axar: Statistical comparison
ODI Records
Jadeja: 210 matches, 2905 runs, 232 wickets
Axar: 71 matches, 858 runs, 75 wickets
Test Records
Jadeja: 89 matches, 4095 runs, 348 wickets
Axar: 15 matches, 688 runs, 57 wickets
T20I Records
Jadeja: 74 matches, 515 runs, 54 wickets
Axar: 86 matches, 686 runs, 83 wickets
Axar’s rising form
Axar Patel has shown great improvement over the past year. In 2025 alone, he scored 290 runs in 11 matches, while Jadeja managed only 106 runs in 10 matches. This upturn in performance has strengthened the argument that Axar could be the long-term all-rounder option for India.
Ravindra Jadeja’s recent slump
Ravindra Jadeja’s struggles were particularly evident in the recent ODI series against New Zealand, where he managed scores of 4, 27, and 12 in three matches and failed to take a single wicket.
This poor run has further fueled discussions about whether the all-rounder’s place in the team is under threat.
IND vs NZ 2nd T20I – Preview
Leading 1-0 after a thumping Nagpur win, India faces New Zealand in the second T20I at Raipur. While Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh fuel India’s explosive batting, Black Caps rely on Glenn Phillips to trigger a comeback. This clash serves as a vital rehearsal for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
