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KL Rahul vs Axar Patel at No. 5: Why India should prefer Rahul in pace-friendly SENA conditions and at 2027 ODI World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Axar Patel batted at No. 5 in India's chase in the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington and was dismissed for 7 off 17 balls, with KL Rahul following him at No. 6.
- Rahul averages 68.58 at No. 5 in ODIs, with four hundreds and a strike rate of 103.19 in the position.
- Why India should prefer Rahil at No.5 in SENA conditions.
What happened in India's chase in Wellington?
India beat New Zealand by four runs via the DLS method in the second ODI at Hnry Stadium to lead the five-match series 2-0. Chasing 135 after bowling the hosts out for 134, India were 113/7 after 26 overs when rain ended play.
The chase was far from smooth. Axar was sent in at No. 5 and was caught by Jacob Duffy off Matt Fisher for 7 off 17 balls, leaving India 47/4 in the 13th over. Rahul walked in next at No. 6.
Rahul and Shreyas Iyer rebuilt the innings. Iyer made 30, and Rahul finished unbeaten on 26, the two highest scores in India's innings. The batting order was questioned on social media, with Dodda Ganesh writing in strong terms.
"I say it again: Axar Patel can’t be your no 5 in SENA countries. He could play a cameo here and there but he’s definitely not a long term solution. You are denying KL Rahul the game time #NZvIND," he wrote.
I say it again: Axar Patel can’t be your no 5 in SENA countries. He could play a cameo here and there but he’s definitely not a long term solution. You are denying KL Rahul the game time #NZvIND
— Dodda Ganesh (@doddaganesha) November 7, 2026
Cricbuzz's Deepu Narayan also weighed in, crediting Axar for the job he has done in Asia but arguing that it does not carry over to pace-friendly conditions.
"Axar at #5 had a well defined role in Asia: left-handed spin hitter breaking the run of right handers in top 4 and did a commendable job. He isn't the best suited to combat the pacy, bouncy conditions in SENA. Especially with KL Rahul in the lineup," he wrote.
Axar at #5 had a well defined role in Asia: left-handed spin hitter breaking the run of right handers in top 4 and did a commendable job. He isn't the best suited to combat the pacy, bouncy conditions in SENA. Especially with KL Rahul in the lineup.
— Deepu Narayan (@deeputalks) November 7, 2026
Add to this KL Rahul's long tenure at the No.5 spot and it becomes increasingly bizarre to send Axar ahead of him in the 50-over format.
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KL Rahul's record at No. 5 in ODIs and why he's the better pick
Rahul has made the position his own. He has scored 1,646 runs in 36 innings at No. 5 in ODIs, at an average of 68.58 and a strike rate of 103.19, with four hundreds, 10 fifties and 12 not-outs. He has not been dismissed for a duck in this position.
Axar's record is respectable for an all-rounder. He has scored 365 runs in 13 innings at No. 5, at an average of 30.41 and a strike rate of 87.11, and he has never scored an ODI hundred.
| Player | Innings at No. 5 | Runs | Average | Strike rate | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | 36 | 1,646 | 68.58 | 103.19 | 4 |
| Axar Patel | 13 | 365 | 30.41 | 87.11 | 0 |
Rahul averages more than twice as much as Axar and scores about 16 runs more per 100 balls. He has also done it over nearly three times as many innings, which makes his record a far bigger sample.
The management has its reasons for the promotion. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed a left-right combination in the middle overs, and Axar made 52 and 41* at No. 5 against England in February 2025. That is a fair case, but the numbers still favour Rahul.
The Wellington chase showed what a No. 5 may be asked to do. With India 47/4 on a pitch made difficult by the rain, the job was to see off seam and bounce and rebuild, and the runs came from Iyer and Rahul.
Axar's value as a left-hander lies in breaking up a run of right-handers, which works against spin on slower pitches in Asia. In South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, the ball moves more and bounces higher, and the top order is often under pressure early.
Rahul's numbers at No. 5 are those of a batter who builds an innings and then accelerates. Axar is better used as a lower-order hitter and a bowler, where his left-arm spin and finishing can help without carrying the responsibility of the middle order.
MORE: Shubman Gill's batting record in SENA countries listed
Should KL Rahul bat at No. 5 for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup?
The case is stronger when the 2027 World Cup is considered. The tournament will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 2 October to 21 November, and India open against Australia in Cape Town on 7 October, then play Pakistan in Johannesburg three days later.
Those are conditions in which the ball can swing, seam and bounce, and India's middle order needs a batter who has proved he can handle them. This New Zealand tour is the closest preview of that, which is why the order matters.
Axar remains a valuable member of the squad, but the No. 5 slot belongs to Rahul on the evidence. With three ODIs left in the series, the order India choose will show whether they are preparing for the World Cup or for the last one.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kl-rahul-vs-axar-patel-111027795.html
