Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, veteran India batter
Ajinkya Rahane highlighted all-rounder
Axar Patel as one of the team’s most underrated players. The continental tournament gets underway on Tuesday, September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong. India, led by
Suryakumar Yadav, will play their opening match against the hosts UAE in Dubai on September 10.
Rahane shared his thoughts in a video on his YouTube channel, speaking about Axar’s growth over the past few years and stressing the all-rounder’s value for the team in the spin-friendly conditions expected in Dubai.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! “I feel he is a very much underrated player. He has improved as a player, as a cricketer, in the last two to three years. He has done really well. Whenever he has got an opportunity as a batter or a bowler, he has performed for the team. He can bowl with the new ball in the powerplay, he can bowl in the middle overs, and if needed, he can bowl in the death overs,” Rahane said.
He added, “As a captain, when you have a player like Axar Patel in the team, you are always happy. Let’s not forget his fielding ability as well. With the
Asia Cup in Dubai, the wickets are likely to favor spinners. Axar’s skill and experience will be very important for the team.”
Rahane also backed all-rounder
Hardik Pandya as a key player for India in the tournament.
“Hardik’s role in this Asia Cup will be really important. As an all-rounder, he has done very well for the team in the past. Coming in at No. 5 or 6, he can create impact, play with a high strike rate, read the situation, and adjust his game accordingly. I am sure he can do it again,” Rahane said.
He added, “What I would like to see from Hardik is him bowling his four overs. If he can bowl all four overs, it will give the team a very good balance.”
With his insights shared on his YouTube channel, Rahane emphasised the importance of balance and experience in India’s squad as they head into the Asia Cup 2025.
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