IND vs SL: Ravindra Jadeja proves why Axar Patel is not actually his 'like-for-like' replacement

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Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel played together an ODI match for India for the tenth time on Tuesday as India took on Sri Lanka in their second Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The spin-friendly conditions prompted the move as Shardul Thakur was dropped from the eleven to include Axar Patel. On the back of a five-wicket-haul from Dunith Wellalage, Sri Lanka managed to bundle out India for 213.

India were on the back foot and a top effort from the bowlers was needed to win the match and book a spot in the eleven. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj did just what the doctor ordered. The hosts lost their first 3 wickets for 25 runs.

Kuldeep Yadav broke a 43-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka by dismissing the former. Two overs later he got rid of Asalanka as well.

IND vs SL: Ravindra Jadeja saves the day for India

With Sri Lanka reeling at 73/5, all eyes were on their star pair of Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva. The two very dangerous cricketers had the potential to turn the match on its head and India were well aware of it.

Just when their 26-run partnership was taking shape, Ravindra Jadeja bowled a tossed up delivery which spun away after landing outside the off stump. Shanaka was tempted to go for a drive and an edge landed into the hands of Rohit Sharma who took a stunning low catch at slip.

However, the Sri Lankan resilience did not end there. Wellalage continued to impress and gave India a major scare by partnering for 63 off 75 balls with Dhananjaya de Silva. The duo had no problem whatsoever facing the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. India were getting frustrated and running out of idea.

Jadeja was brought back into the attack in the 36th over and just on the second delivery he almost cleaned the off-stump of Dhananjaya de Silva. The delivery pitched on the middle-stump, did enough to beat the forward defence but missed the outside-edge and off-stump by the barest margin. Just two runs from the over followed by Hardik pandya's one-run increase the pressure on Sri Lanka and Jadeja made full use of it.

On the third ball of the 38th delivery, a flighted and tossed up delivery from Jadeja tempted Dhananjaya (41 off 66) to go over the mid-on fielder but ended up giving a simple catch to Shubman Gill stationed in that position.

An Indian was a matter of time from there. Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik cleaned the Sri Lankan tail and wrapped up their innings at 172 in 41.3 overs to hand India a 41-run win.

Jadeja finished with figures of two for 33 in 10 overs. A third wicket was also on offer but a top-edge from Asalanka was dropped by Ishan Kishan in the 17th over.

IND vs SL: Jadeja shows why Axar is not his like-for-like replacement

Jadeja with his match-winning performance proved why he is miles ahead of Axar Patel - at least when it comes to bowling - and the fellow Gujarati is not actually his like-for-like replacement.

Both Jadeja and Axar are southpaw batters who bowl left-arm spin, however, the difference in their quality is still massive. Axar Patel is undoubtedly a world-class all-rounder but Ravindra Jadeja, his senior, is just in another league.

Axar Patel did chip in with the bat but looked off-coloured with the ball. He bowled five overs, giving away 29 runs without taking any wicket. His deliveries were not penetrative and the likes of Dhananjaya and Wellalage found no problem tackling them.

Kuldeep, Jadeja and Axar are the only three spinners in the India squad for World Cup 2023. Considering the current situation, it's clear that Ravindra Jadeja would be one of the key members for India with the ball and there is no chance of Axar playing ahead of Jadeja in any of the matches.