"He has improved as a player..."- Ajinkya Rahane names underrated player of the Indian Cicket Team ahead of the Asia Cup 2025

Ajinkya Rahane said that Axar Patel has improved as a player in the last few years.

Veteran Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane has heaped praise on Axar Patel, calling him an underrated player of the Indian Cricket Team. The all-rounder has been named in the India squad for Asia Cup 2025.

Notably, Axar was the vice-captain of the team during India’s T20I series against England earlier this year. However, with Shubman Gill returning to the T20I team for Asia Cup 2025, Axar’s vice-captaincy role was taken away.

Axar has been a crucial all-rounder for India in both ODIs and T20Is for the last few years. He was also part of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, playing a key role with bat and ball in both tournaments.

I feel he is a very much underrated player: Ajinkya Rahane on Axar Patel

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rahane said that Axar has been a very underrated player. He also noted that Axar has improved a lot in the last few years.

“I feel he is a very much underrated player. He has improved as a player, as a cricketer in the last two to three years. He has done really well. Whenever he’s got an opportunity as a batter, as a bowler, he has performed really well for the team. He can bowl with the new ball in the powerplay, he can bowl in the middle phase as well, and if needed, he can bowl in death overs,” he said.

Rahane feels that Axar will be a crucial member for India on spin-friendly pitches in the UAE during Asia Cup 2025.

“As a captain, when you have a player like Axar Patel in the team, you are always happy. Let’s not forget about his fielding ability as well. And also, Asia Cup is in Dubai. Most probably, the wickets will favor the spinners. So, Axar’s skill work and also experience will come in handy for the team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Asia Cup 2025 will commence on September 9 in the UAE. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE. They will play their opening game of the tournament against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead the Men in Blue, who will enter as defending champions of the tournament. Eight teams will battle for the title in the Asia Cup 2025, which will witness the final on September 28.

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