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As India prepares for a challenging five-match Test series in English summer, starting in June 2025. The team faces a crucial decision in selecting the right spin-bowling all-rounder to support Ravindra Jadeja, especially in the wake of Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement. The two main contenders for this role are Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, both versatile players with distinct strengths. This analysis explores their Test credentials, recent form, suitability for English conditions, and overall fit within India’s strategy, aiming to determine who would be the better choice for the tour.
Test records and experience of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar
Axar Patel: Axar has played 14 Tests, predominantly in spin-friendly Indian conditions, taking 55 wickets at an impressive average of 19.34, including five five-wicket hauls. His left-arm orthodox bowling thrives on turning pitches, where his accuracy and subtle variations regularly dismantle batting lineups. His standout performance came against England in 2021 at home, where he claimed 27 wickets in just three Tests, exploiting spin-friendly tracks with relentless consistency. Axar’s batting, often underrated, adds valuable depth to the lower order. He has scored 646 runs at an average of almost 36, including four fifties. His ability to play long, gritty innings in case of top order collapses, makes him a key asset with the bat as well.
Washington Sundar: Sundar, with nine Tests to his name, is less experienced but has shown considerable promise. He has taken 25 wickets at a average of 25.64, reflecting limited bowling opportunities in matches dominated by senior spinners. However, his batting stands out as a significant strength. He has scored 468 runs at an average of 42.55, including four fifties. His unbeaten 96 against England in Ahmedabad in 2021 showcased his ability to anchor innings under pressure. Sundar’s recent recall to the Test side in 2024 against New Zealand, highlighted his growing all-round value to the team.
Recent form of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar
Axar Patel: Axar has been a consistent performer across formats. In the Champions Trophy 2025 , he played several useful knocks up the order and bowled economically, while in IPL 2025, he maintained his all-round form. However, his last Test appearance came in February 2024 and his exclusion from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 squad raised questions about the selectors’ confidence in his suitability for overseas conditions. His bowling, though lethal on turning tracks, depends more on accuracy than sharp spin, which may limit his effectiveness on England’s greener, seam-friendly pitches.
Washington Sundar: Sundar, on the other hand, has gained momentum in Test cricket recently. His 152 in a 2024 Ranji Trophy match against Delhi earned him a recall for the New Zealand series, where he impressed with both bat and ball. While, during the BGT 2024–25, he made some steady contributions reinforcing his value as a batting all-rounder. Sundar’s off-spin offers a useful variation to complement Jadeja’s left-arm spin, and his ability to bowl tight, disciplined lines could prove effective in English conditions, where spinners often play a holding role rather than attacking.
Suitability to both players in English conditions
English pitches are renowned to favour seam and swing early on, with spin becoming more relevant later in matches. Venues in England typically offer bounce and carry, challenging spinners to maintain control and discipline. India’s strategy will likely prioritise Jadeja as the primary spinner, with the second spinner playing a supporting role, contributing with the bat and holding one end.
Axar Patel: Axar’s left-arm spin, being similar to Jadeja’s, may lack the variety needed when both play together. His bowling style, quick, flat, and reliant on accuracy, thrives on deteriorating pitches but may struggle to extract turn on fresher English surfaces. His 2021 success against England came on rank turners at home, a scenario unlikely to repeat in England. However, Axar’s batting is a significant asset. His ability to counterattack against spin, as seen in T20Is and ODIs, and to play pace patiently could help stabilise India’s lower order especially on seaming tracks where top-order collapses are a concern.
Washington Sundar: Sundar’s off-spin offers a point of difference and complements Jadeja’s style. His tighter line, lengths and ability to bowl long, consistent spells could prove valuable in England, where spinners are often used to contain rather than attack. His height may also help generate extra bounce, potentially troubling England’s right-handers like Joe Root and Zak Crawley. Sundar’s batting, with a higher Test average than Axar’s, is well-suited to English conditions where lower-order resilience is vital.
Who’s the better choice between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar?
India’s probable Test XI for the England tour will likely feature three pacers along with Jadeja as the primary all-rounder and a second spinner. The second spinner must also bolster the batting lineup, given India’s heavy reliance on top-order performers like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubhman Gill. In the absence of Ashwin, the selectors face a key decision choosing between Axar’s proven wicket-taking ability and Sundar’s emerging all-round package.
Choosing between the two ultimately depends on India’s priorities. If the focus is on selecting a proven performer with a strong bowling record and dependable batting, Axar is a safer bet. His experience (particularly against England) and his ability to play long, composed innings make him a strong contender. However, if India prioritise long-term potential, bowling variety, and batting resilience in challenging English conditions, Sundar emerges as the more fitting choice.
Given England’s conditions and India’s need for a balanced, versatile attack, Sundar edges out Axar. His ability to provide a different bowling dimension and contribute significantly with the bat aligns well with India’s evolving strategy in the post-Ashwin era. Even so, Axar’s inclusion as a reserve or second spinner remains a realistic option, particularly at venues like The Oval, where the pitch may offer assistance to spin.
This decision will play a crucial role in shaping India’s quest for a third Test series win in England, and Sundar’s all-round promise could prove to be the X-factor in what is expected to be a tightly contested series.
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