Ahead of the final Test between India and England on March 4 in Ahmedabad, former England spinner Graeme Swann has jokingly suggested the hosts send their pink-ball Test hero Akshar Patel on a one-week break since the spinner has done enough damage in the ongoing Test series.
Akshar was the star bowler for India in the recent pink-ball Test, as England suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Team India in the third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 25 with the hosts taking a 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match Test series.
As the left-arm spinner finished with an 11-wicket haul in Ahmedabad, England bowled out for 112 and 81 during the day-night Test to give India their quickest win in Test cricket last cricket.
Ahead of the fourth and final Test, Swann said Patel has done enough for now as he wants to see Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja back in action in order to give the spinner some match practice.
Swann told Sunil Gavaskar during a discussion on Star Sports: “I am a huge fan of Jadeja. Seeing how well Axar Patel has done, I think he should go on leave for a week and Jadeja can either come and play for England or can play for India because I think Axar Patel has done enough for now, we have seen enough of him, haven't we.”
Noteworthy, Jadeja has been out of action since the tour of Australia in January 2021. The all-rounder copped a blow to his finger during the third Test in Sydney and was subsequently ruled out due to a dislocated thumb and he is now recovering from the injury, as isn’t part of the T20I squad as well.
(With India Today Inputs)
