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'It Is Going To Be a Challenge For Hardik...,' Ex-Indian Opener On Axar Patel's Deployment Against The WI Left-Handers 

image-ll28p8jgAxar Patel has not fired in T20I series so far (Twitter)

Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has defended Hardik Pandya's decision to not bowl left-arm orthodox Axar Patel in the 2nd T20I against the West Indies.

Pandya came under intense scrutiny for not giving a single over to Axar on a surface that was aiding slow bowlers following India's 2-wicket defeat to the hosts in the 2nd T20I.

However, Jaffer has now come to the defence of Hardik, stating that the skipper opted to not go with Axar because of the presence of two left-handers in the opposition camp in the form of Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.

Jaffer also reminded that Axar was taken to the cleaners by Pooran in the first T20I, and that would have certainly played on Pandya's mind.

However, the former opener admitted that its a risk that Hardik needs to take irrespective of the unfavorable match-ups considering the fact that the surface in Guyana is tailor-made for slow bowlers. He also admitted that he was surprised that Axar wasn't called into the attack after both the southpaws had been dismissed.

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer said:

"That has been the problem with Axar Patel starting from his IPL franchise to the national team. Whenever a left-hander comes into the crease, it feels like he is not going to bowl. I can understand when Nicholas Pooran is on strike, but I thought when he and Shimron Hetmyer got out, I was surprised that he was not thrown the ball there. Obviously you had Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl his final over and I was honestly surprised that he did not bowl," Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo.

"It is going to be a challenge for Hardik Pandya as to when and how to use Axar Patel. In the 1st T20I he bowled him in the powerplay. He got hit for a 6 and a 4 by Nicholas Pooran and that's a risk that you need to take."

India will look to bounce back in the 3rd T20I on Tuesday as they face the task of winning the remaining three matches in order to win the 5-match series.