Amidst the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has sparked a debate regarding team selection, stating that Axar Patel is currently "way ahead" of Ravindra Jadeja. His assessment also questioned the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squad. The series is currently tied 1-1, with the final match scheduled for January 18 in Indore.

Kaif's comments, made on his YouTube channel, have ignited discussions about the balance of the Indian team and the roles of Jadeja and Patel, both left-arm spin-bowling all-rounders. He argued that if only one of the two could be selected, Axar Patel should be the preferred choice, citing Patel's superior strike rate, batting prowess, and ability to hit sixes. Kaif emphasized Axar's versatility, noting his ability to bowl effectively in the powerplay, a trait he believes Jadeja lacks.

"If you have to choose one of the two, Axar is way ahead of Jadeja. Even in one-day. His strike rate and batting ability, ability to hit sixes, Jadeja does not have that. We have seen in the IPL as well. In white-ball, Axar is way ahead in batting. Even in bowling, he is ahead. Axar can bowl in the powerplay as well," Kaif stated.

Aakash Chopra, another former India opener, had previously voiced similar concerns about Jadeja's form, noting that Jadeja has struggled to make an impact in recent ODIs with both bat and ball. Chopra pointed out that Jadeja had only managed one wicket in his last four matches and hadn't consistently completed his full quota of overs. He also suggested that if the ODI World Cup were to be held imminently, Axar Patel would be the frontrunner in team selection.

Jadeja's recent performances have indeed come under scrutiny. In the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, he has scored 4 and 27 in the first two matches, remaining wicketless in both. His last ODI half-century at home was in 2013, highlighting his struggles to produce significant scores in the format.

While Jadeja has a higher average in his ODI career, Axar Patel's batting returns have been better in recent times. After 71 matches, Axar has 858 runs and 75 wickets, while Jadeja has 1,123 runs and 82 wickets.

Kaif also questioned the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squad, especially considering New Zealand's perceived weakness against spin. He argued that Arshdeep Singh, another pacer, was already on the bench, making Reddy's inclusion unnecessary. "I do not know why he is not even in the squad. Why are you backing Reddy against New Zealand, who are weak against spin. Anyway, you have Arshdeep, who is sitting out, so there are four pacers already," he said.

The debate surrounding Jadeja and Patel highlights the increasing competition for places in the Indian ODI side. With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, both players will be eager to prove their worth and secure their place in the team.