IPL 2019: 3 teams where Axar Patel could best fit in

The IPL's mid-season player-trade window saw some big names swapping sides. At the end of the eventful phase, the teams submitted the roster of players retained and released. On the list of the stars on whom the axe fell, Axar Patel was a surprising inclusion.

The KXIP spinner had been a backbone of his side through their dismal years and was retained by the men in red and silver. However, after bagging Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, the need for Axar Patel's left-arm spin was seldom felt.

The 24-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner from Gujarat has played 73 IPL games scoring 740 runs at a strike rate of 130 and grabbing 69 IPL scalps. Previously, Axar has represented Mumbai Indians in 2013 with whom he did not get a single game. Hence, all his IPL games have come for the Kings XI Punjab.

Axar made his IPL debut on April 18, 2014, against the Chennai Super Kings at Abu Dhabi. His performances in that edition helped him secure a place in the Indian side later that year. For India, Axar has always been a consistent performer in the limited opportunities that he has got.

Axar has got all the attributes of a good T20 player. He bowls his 4 overs with getting noticed and can wield his willow in death overs to good effect. As a result, Axar should be one of the hottest property in the pool of players for the next IPL auction. He is someone at whom almost every franchise would give a shot.

It would be interesting to watch the tussle between the franchises when Axar's name comes up at the auction. Let us take a look at the 3 teams where the left-arm off-spinner would best fit in.

#3 Delhi Daredevils

Delhi Daredevils would be hoping that Axar's inclusion would end their misery

The Daredevils are perhaps the least successful franchise in the history of the league. A team which lacks persistence and believes in chopping and changing as a solution to every problem is unsurprisingly languishing at the bottom all the time. This time around too they have axed heaps of players and are again looking to blood in a fresh squad.

Bowling has been one of the biggest concerns for the men in red and blue. The lack of penetration in their bowling attack has been quite evident after the team failed to defend big scores several times after the top order had fired. The team is desperately in need of an Indian bowler with international experience.

The responsibility to handle the spin department entirely rests on the shoulders of Amit Mishra currently. However, it would be best if the burden is shared by another experienced Indian spinner. Hence, Axar Patel is the best bet right now to pair with Amit Mishra and bring the glory back to Delhi.

#2 Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals need an experienced spinner to boost their bowling attack

The Rajasthan Royals have always been the dark horses of the IPL. A team that has never believed in paperweights, the RR always put together a modest, humble squad. However, this has not worked for them well over the years as many of their players lack the experience the seize the crucial moments and stay afloat in the tournament.

Going into the IPL 2019, the Rajasthan Royals have released many players, notably Jaydev Unadkat, D'Arcy Short, Heinrich Klassen and others. Among the releases from the spin department are Ankit Sharma and Afghanistan's Zahir Khan Pakteen.

The team is presently not having a single Indian spinner who has played international cricket. Although Krishnappa Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal did a decent job last season, it would be better if the Royals have an experienced Indian spinner in their ranks guiding them. Axar Patel's inclusion in this side brings experience to the table, something that the Royals have always been lacking.

#1 Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians are yet to find an apt replacement after letting go Harbhajan

The Mumbai Indians had a season to forget in the eleventh edition of the IPL. The men in blue and gold lost quite a few games after dominating for the most part, only to let go the crucial moments. The composition of the side has changed after their 2017 title win. One of the biggest calls the MI management took was letting go their seasoned campaigner Harbhajan Singh.

Bhajji has seen the Mumbai Indians through the thick and thin and his exclusion left a big void which the Mumbai Indians haven't filled in yet. The young gun Mayank Markande looked a class apart in the first half of the season, but a streak of ordinary games as the season progressed narrowed his overall performance down to just par.

The depth of the side is measured in terms of international experience and the Mumbai Indians are clearly lacking that in their spin-bowling contingent. If they bring back somebody like Axar Patel, it would give their bowling attack a competitive edge and make it complete in all aspects.