India’s preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025 are in full swing. The recent ODI series against England has given key insights into India’s strategy. One of the biggest talking points is Axar Patel’s promotion to No.5 in the batting order.
Axar Patel has impressed with his performances. He scored 41 and 52* in two games, handling spin well and maintaining a solid scoring rate. This experiment suggests that India might continue with this batting order in the ICC event. However, while the move has its advantages, there are also concerns.
- Axar Patel at No.5 adds variety to the batting order.
- He is a strong spin player and an attacking option in the middle overs.
- His promotion can disrupt opposition bowlers and keep the scoring rate high.
- However, KL Rahul’s demotion and Axar’s struggles against pace are concerns.
- India must carefully weigh these factors before finalizing their Champions Trophy 2025 strategy.
Advantages of Axar Patel at No.5
Balanced Batting Order
- Having Axar Patel at No.5 provides a left-hand batting (LHB) option in the top five.
- Without him, India would have a right-hand heavy (RHB) lineup, making them predictable.
- A mix of LHB-RHB combinations can create problems for opposition bowlers.
Strong Spin Player
- Axar Patel is among India’s best players of spin bowling.
- He can dominate spinners early and disrupt their rhythm.
- His presence at No.5 can relieve pressure on Shreyas Iyer at No.4.
Maximizing His Batting Talent
- At No.7, Axar gets limited balls to bat, reducing his impact.
- Promoting him to No.5 allows him to play more deliveries and make a difference.
- His aggressive approach ensures India maintains a high scoring rate.
Counterattack Option
- Axar Patel has an attacking mindset and plays positive cricket.
- If early wickets fall, he can take on the bowlers without hesitation.
- His ability to counterattack can help India regain momentum quickly.
Disadvantages of Axar Patel at No.5
KL Rahul Demoted to No.6
- KL Rahul is a proven performer at No.5.
- Moving him to No.6 changes his role and affects the team balance.
- Hardik Pandya also moves further down, delaying his impact.
Struggles Against Pace
- Axar Patel excels against spin but has weaknesses against high-pace bowling.
- Opposing teams with strong fast bowlers can target him with short-pitched deliveries.
- A batting lineup with Shreyas Iyer at No.4 and Axar Patel at No.5 might struggle against pace attacks.
Inexperience in Building an Innings
- Axar is still learning how to construct an innings.
- If an early wicket falls, his aggressive approach could lead to another quick dismissal.
- India needs a stable batsman at No.5 who can adapt to different situations.
Impact on Team Selection
- India might play only two spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav.
- If Axar is dropped, KL Rahul will have to move back to No.5.
- Constant shuffling could impact Rahul’s form and consistency.
Possible Batting Order for India in Champions Trophy 2025
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma |
| 2 | Shubman Gill |
| 3 | Virat Kohli |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer |
| 5 | Axar Patel |
| 6 | KL Rahul |
| 7 | Hardik Pandya |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| 9 | Kuldeep Yadav |
| 10 | Jasprit Bumrah |
| 11 | Mohammed Shami |
The idea of Axar Patel at No.5 is an interesting experiment. It provides a left-hand option, spin-hitting strength, and an attacking approach. However, the risk of struggles against pace, KL Rahul’s role change, and team selection dilemmas must be considered.
As India prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025, they need to decide if Axar Patel is the right choice at No.5 or if the traditional batting order is a safer option.
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