Axar Patel's T20I economy rate rises sharply since World Cup
Axar's economy has jumped from 7.7 to 9.1 since the World Cup as his signature control over pace and length has waned.
Axar Patel has conceded 9.1 runs per over in 17 T20Is since the World Cup, up from his previous economy rate of 7.7. The left-arm spinner's ability to land the ball on the precise spot at the exact pace has diminished across conditions. England's batsmen scored at 11.14 an over against him in England, West Indies at 12.21, and New Zealand's Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips at 12.75 in Christchurch.
The margins that defined his success are now working against him. A yard shorter or an inch fuller has cost him wickets and runs as batsmen have more time to process their options. When he tried to bowl quicker than his normal 95-100 kmh range at Hagley Oval, he went flat and lost his usual subtlety.
When he tried to slow the ball down, it became too slow and lost its bite. Phillips had time to advance down the pitch and clear the sight-screen. The spinner who once manipulated angles to bring lbw into play now sees deliveries slip down leg or turn into full tosses.
CricHubb Take
The gap between what Axar wants to bowl and what he actually delivers is widening at the worst possible time. If this continues, India may need to rethink how they use him in the middle overs against teams that attack spin aggressively.