Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and commentator Parthiv Patel backed Akshar Patel to be included in the Indian team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, ahead of Ravindra Jadeja.

Patel believes that Akshar gives better stability to Team India, which Jadeja cannot. He further said that Akshar can bowl in the powerplay and can be helpful with the bat as well; that is why he is ahead of Jadeja, and he should be given the opportunity in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The spinner made his case strong for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 with his impressive performance in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Afghanistan at home.

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Parthiv Patel said on Jio Cinema: “His strength is the accuracy with which he bowls. He doesn't bowl in the slot, most of the time. If you want to hit him, you have to hit him using the feet or make room. And using feet is not easy against him because of the pace with which he bowls.”

The commentator continued, “He is someone who can perform everywhere. In this T20 format, yes, we talk about Ravindra Jadeja, but I think Akshar gives you that stability. He bowls in powerplays, and it makes him an even better cricketer.”

The former India wicket-keeper batter further stressed that Akshar should be picked over Jadeja in India’s T20I team given his effective bowling.

Patel signed off by saying, “In this format, yes. I think Akshar brings in more variety. He doesn't bowl in a one-dimensional way. He bats at any number. If you look at this Indian team, you need a power hitter, and Akshar brings that. And in this format, Akshar is ahead of Jadeja, as far as I am concerned.”

(With Jio Cinema Inputs)