On day three of the second Test against Bangladesh, Ajay Jadeja questioned the promotion of Axar Patel over Virat Kohli.
India’s top order failed them as they tried to chase down a goal of 145 runs, and Patel was sent in to bat following Pujara’s dismissal. The visitors have lost four wickets and still need 100 runs to win.
The decision to send Axar ahead of Pant and Kohli came as a shock to Ajay Jadeja. The veteran cricketer said, as reported by Sportskeeda, that Kohli is the finest player in the world and that just 15 overs remained. Jadeja questioned why India didn’t send in Rishabh Pant to bat if they wanted a left-right combo in the middle.
Even though Patel had a good batting performance, Jadeja said that it was indicative of the team’s current mindset.
At the end of play on Day 3, Axar was still undefeated with a score of 26. After Kohli’s dismissal, Jaydev Unadkat was assigned to be the night watchman. Therefore the two would be together on the fourth morning.
“He is the world’s best player. 15 overs were left. Saba Karim said it could have been because of the left-right combination, which is an obvious thought, but then I feel – did Rishabh Pant take a sleeping pill? I will also say that it is easy for us to say this from here; we don’t know if someone was not feeling well,” said Ajay Jadeja.
Gill scored seven runs off of 35 deliveries until he was stumped by Nurul Hasan off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The off-spinner also got rid of Kohli, who was caught by Mominul Haque at short leg. Only time will tell if that decision from the Indian team management is right or not. However, the team will need Axar to carry on on the fourth day of this test.
