Axar Patel has the potential to play for a long time: Virat Kohli

India skipper Virat Kohli has backed Axar Patel to play international cricket for a long period of time if the latter stays fit and works on his all-round skills. The 27-year-old Axar has made a dream start to his Test career, having already picked up 36 wickets from five matches with as many as five five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul.

After picking up 27 wickets from three matches against England earlier this year, Patel showed his prowess in the two-match series versus New Zealand as well. In two games against the Black Caps, the left-arm spinner picked up nine wickets and finished the series as the third-highest wicket-taker.

The 33-year-old Kohli, during the the post-match press conference after India’s series win against the Kiwis, heaped praises on Patel and said that he brings a lot of value to the team with his all-round prowess.

I hope he stays fit and hungry, says Virat Kohli

“Axar is obviously is an all-rounder cricketer. His skill sets provide a good balance to any team he plays for precisely why he is performing well for so long in T20 cricket and Test too whenever he is given an opportunity. The good thing to see is he is adapting his game according to the need of the format,” Kohli said.

“Which I think is a great sign, if he can keep his fitness levels up, if he can keep working on his game then you know he has a potential to play for a long time and that’s basically the need of the hour in today’s cricket.

“If you can’t keep up your fitness level it becomes more and more difficult. At the moment he is going through a great phase and I wish him all the success. I hope he stays fit and hungry to play for a long time,” he added.

Even as his numbers as a bowler are commendable, Patel hasn’t flattered to deceive with the bat as a well. After five Tests, he averages 29.83, having notched 179 runs with a top score of 52 against the Kiwis at the Wankhede Stadium earlier this month.

Patel has also played 38 ODIs and 15 T20Is after making his debut way back in 2014 against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Delhi Capitals, recently, retained him for INR 9 crores ahead of the mega auction for the 2022 IPL edition.