Axar Patel's T20I Batting Decline: A Result of Misuse?
The all-rounder's poor numbers in 2026 raise questions about his role under Gautam Gambhir's management.
Axar Patel has endured a dismal run with the bat in T20Is this year, managing just 223 runs across 18 innings at a paltry average of 14.86 and a strike rate of 119.89. His boundary frequency has also dipped, with a ball-per-boundary ratio of 7.44. These figures highlight a significant regression for a player once known for his middle-order hitting.
His struggles extend beyond pace bowling, where he averages 12.22 balls per dismissal and strikes at 132.72, to spin, where his average drops to 12.83 and strike rate to 101.31. Against slow bowlers, he has managed only six boundaries from 76 balls, rendering his batting value nearly negligible. This decline has reduced him to a bowler who can bat a bit, rather than a genuine all-rounder.
Critics point to improper usage by the Indian team management, led by Gautam Gambhir. Axar has been repeatedly deployed too low in the order, often at number eight, where he has faced an average of only 7.71 balls per innings in his six appearances for India this year. Such handling may be contributing to his downward spiral, raising concerns that another promising asset is being mishandled.