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Have Axar Patel and Ravindra been dropped? Ajit Agarkar explains reason for absence in IND vs AFG Test and ODI 2026 squads originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ravindra Jadeja rested for the Afghanistan series but confirmed as India's number one Test spinner.
- Axar Patel dropped from both squads amid poor form across IPL and international cricket.
- Young left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar called up as future investments.
Ravindra Jadeja rested, Axar Patel dropped: India's spin plans shift ahead of Afghanistan series
When the BCCI announced India's squads for the Afghanistan Test and ODI series on May 19, the two most striking absentees were Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, who have, between them, dominated India's spin bowling for the better part of a decade.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was careful to frame Jadeja's absence as a rest rather than a drop, and confirmed that he remains India's premier spinner in Test cricket. However, the fuller picture carries more nuance than that reassurance suggests.
Jadeja missed Rajasthan Royals' previous IPL 2026 match due to a ****** and since the standalone Test against Afghanistan falls outside the World Test Championship cycle, the selectors chose to manage his workload.
Harsh Dubey, 23, and Manav Suthar, also 23, are both left-arm spinning all-rounders who have made strong impressions in domestic cricket. Suthar claimed 18 wickets across five Ranji Trophy innings and contributed a century, while Dubey took 14 wickets in the same competition. They have been the latest entrants to the national setup.
MORE: No Samson in India squad for IND vs AFG ODI series 2026 as Kishan is picked
Why was Axar Patel dropped against Afghanistan?
Axar Patel's omission from both squads reflects a difficult run across formats.
In the only Test he played against South Africa, he was used sparingly, just 20 overs across the match, suggesting the team management views him more as a backup option than a regular red-ball bowler.
In IPL 2026, he has bowled 40 overs for 10 wickets, and his batting average before back-to-back contributions of 56 and 34 in his final two matches was a deeply concerning 6.28. His overall IPL batting average this season stands at 16.75 at a strike rate of 125.23.
These are modest numbers for a player expected to contribute meaningfully in the lower middle order. A break from the pressure of selection may help him reset.
His return to the T20I setup for the Ireland and England tour later this year looks likely, but for Tests and ODIs, the selectors continue to place their trust in Kuldeep Yadav and fresher players.
MORE:Rishabh Pant loses India Test vice-captaincy to KL Rahul
The Cricket News Opinion: India's spin transition is inevitable, but must be managed carefully
Jadeja and Axar have served Indian cricket exceptionally well, and the instinct to protect and rest rather than abruptly discard is the right one.
But selectors must also be honest with themselves and with the players about what the future holds. Bringing in Dubey and Suthar is a sensible long-term move, but they will need consistent opportunities and clear roles to develop into reliable international options.
The worst outcome would be to use them for a series or two before reverting to the familiar names when things get tough. India's spin bowling has been a strength for years, and maintaining that while transitioning to a new generation requires patience, honesty and a clear plan. The Afghanistan series is the first step in that process.
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