Axar Patel or Deepak Hooda? Who is a better pick in the Indian line-up?

Ever since Ravindra Jadeja has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup, the fans have been wondering who will replace the 33-year-old all-rounder. The top two contenders for that position are Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel. 

So who is the best fit for the T20 World Cup, Axar Patel or Deepak Hooda?

Deepak Hooda earned made his international debut against West Indies on February 6th, 2022. After toiling in the domestic circuit and in the IPL, he earned the opportunity to represent India. Deepak Hooda is a middle-order batsman who can bowl off-breaks whenever required. 

The 27-year-old had a decent outing in the IPL, scoring 452 runs in 15 innings at an average of 32.21 while striking the ball at 136.67. 2 months later when India toured Ireland, Hooda scored his first international century when he struck 104 of 55 balls. Ever since then, the all-rounder from Haryana has fared well in T20Is.

Deepak Hooda T20I record in 2022

Axar Patel has been in and out of India's T20 set-up since India already had a left-arm orthodox spinner in Ravindra Jadeja. But ever since Ravindra Jadeja got injured, Axar Patel was given an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.

After being named as Ravindra Jadeja's replacement, the 28-year-old has played six matches and taken 10 wickets with an economy of 7.63. Axar Patel has been a like-for-like replacement for Ravindra Jadeja.

Axar Patel T20I record in 2022

So who should play in the T20 World Cup, Deepak Hooda or Axar Patel?

Deepak Hooda is a batting all-rounder who bats at number 4,5 but India's numbers 4 and 5 are already taken by Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. While Axar Patel is a bowling all-rounder who bats at 6 or 7. Since Jadeja's injury left avoid at the lower order, Axar Patel fits right in.

So Axar Patel is the right pick for the T20 World Cup and should be chosen ahead of Deepak Hooda.

Do you agree with us? Who would you want to see in the T20 World Cup? Leave your comments below and don't forget to subscribe to Sportco for more content!