Axar Patel Shares Cryptic Instagram Post After Being Replaced By R Ashwin in WC Squad

Amid the buzz surrounding Ashwin’s inclusion in the Indian World Cup squad replacing Axar Patel, Axar took to Instagram to briefly express his thoughts. He posted a now-deleted story with a cryptic caption: “Should have taken science instead of commerce and hired a better PR.” This statement grabbed the attention of fans and the cricketing community, leaving them speculating about its intended target.

Initially named in India’s 15-man provisional World Cup squad, Axar Patel suffered a left quadriceps strain injury during the 2023 Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. This injury sidelined him for the Asia Cup final, where Washington Sundar replaced him. Subsequently, he also missed the ODI series against Australia, allowing R Ashwin to make a strong comeback and secure his place in the World Cup squad.

Axar’s Instagram post quickly went viral, with fans and experts interpreting it as a veiled dig at R Ashwin. The reference to choosing science over commerce and hiring better public relations raised eyebrows, particularly because Ashwin is known for his candidness about his professional life and has a strong social media presence. Although Axar promptly removed the story, screenshots had already circulated widely, igniting a debate among fans.

Some fans questioned the severity of Axar Patel’s injury, speculating that it might not be as major or long-term as suggested by the team management. They wondered if his omission was solely due to his injury or if there were other factors at play.

Notably, this isn’t the first time Axar Patel has faced a last-minute World Cup squad omission. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, he was replaced by Shardul Thakur just before the tournament commenced, marking a sense of déjà vu for the talented all-rounder.