3 reasons why Axar Patel should not bat at No. 5 in ODIs

Axar Patel's record in SENA countries

Another dimension to this debate is Axar's record in SENA countries, which will be the primary theatre for the 2027 ODI World Cup. In 12 ODI innings across South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, Axar has scored 151 runs at an average of 13.70 and a strike rate of 78.60, with only one half-century to show from those outings.

The current series in New Zealand has reinforced those concerns. Axar walked in at No. 5 in the first ODI on November 4 and was dismissed for a duck off two balls. In the second ODI at Wellington, Matthew Fisher removed him for 7 off 17 balls, with Rahul following at No. 6. Across the two innings, Axar managed just seven runs at No. 5. Although his overall ODI record of 925 runs in 76 matches at an average of 22.56 reflects his value as an all-rounder, the SENA-specific figures highlight a clear gap between what No. 5 demands and what Axar has delivered in those conditions.

With the 2027 World Cup set to be played across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, India would benefit from settling on a No. 5 batter whose record in similar conditions is more convincing. Rahul's figures make him the stronger candidate for that role.