Jason Gillespie Questions Axar Patel’s Batting Position in India T20I XI
During the third T20I against Australia in Hobart, Washington Sundar made a significant impact by coming in at No. 6 after Axar Patel's dismissal in a 186-run chase. Sundar’s unbeaten 49 helped India secure their first win of the series.
Surprise Over Batting Order
Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie expressed his confusion about the batting order of Indian all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. He questioned why Axar was batting ahead of Sundar, despite the latter’s impressive performance.
“I don’t know why he is batting below Axar Patel. That 49* was absolutely superb. He wasn’t intimidated by the Australian seamers and just looked to take it on. They’ve got a nice batting lineup. I just felt Axar Patel was one or two spots too high in that order. But he is probably more suited to subcontinent conditions.” – Jason Gillespie, Fast Bowling Cartel podcast
Performance Highlights
- Axar Patel usually bats at No. 5 on the Australia tour.
- Sundar entered the game at No. 6 after Axar’s wicket fell.
- Sundar played a key role alongside Jitesh Sharma to achieve the target.
Additional Insights
Gillespie also praised Sundar’s confidence against the Australian seam attack. His former teammate Glenn McGrath has shared memories of playing with Sundar in Chennai, highlighting the left-hander’s potential.
Author's summary: Jason Gillespie questions Axar Patel's higher batting spot over Washington Sundar in India's T20I lineup, praising Sundar's impactful innings in Australia.