Kaif hailed Axar's ability to hit sixes and bowl effectively in the powerplay.
Axar’s last ODI appearance was during the Australia tour in October 2025. He has since been overlooked for the South Africa and New Zealand series.
Amid Axar’s snub, Jadeja has come under severe scrutiny for his below-par performances in ODIs. The veteran all-rounder failed to make a mark in the series opener against New Zealand in Vadodara, scoring 4 off 5 balls and returning with the bowling figures of 0/56 in his 9 overs.
During the second ODI in Rajkot, Jadeja took 44 deliveries to score 27 runs while batting at No. 6. He then failed to claim a wicket (0-44) in his 8 overs as the Kiwis chased down the target of 285 with 15 deliveries to spare.
Jadeja could scalp only one batter in the preceding three-match ODI series against South Africa at home. His returns with the bat was poor as well.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif questioned the selectors for not picking Axar, hailing his ability to hit sixes and bowl effectively in the powerplay.
"If you have to choose one of the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja, even in one-day cricket. His strike rate, batting ability and ability to hit sixes — Jadeja does not have that. We have seen this in the IPL as well. In white-ball cricket, Axar is way ahead in batting. Even in bowling, he is ahead. Axar can bowl in the powerplay as well. I do not know why he is not even in the squad. Why are you backing Reddy against New Zealand, who are weak against spin? Anyway, you already have Arshdeep sitting out, so there are four pacers already," Kaif said.
Kaif also called for the inclusion of both Axar and Jadeja in playing XI by dropping seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“I want Jadeja and Axar to play together. If Axar was there in the last game instead of Reddy, there would have been more balance. There is a difference in the bowling styles of Jadeja and Axar. People say both are left-arm spinners — they are — but both have different styles of bowling. Jadeja comes on after the powerplay. Axar can take the new ball. He is the best bowler with the new ball. He took wickets with the new ball in the Champions Trophy as well," he added.
Ravindra Jadeja will look to make amends when India face New Zealand in the series-deciding third ODI in Indore on Sunday (January 18).