India, Nov. 10 -- For much of his career, Axar Patel has lived in the shadow of Ravindra Jadeja. The comparison was inevitable. He was, by all means, the closest India had to a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja. But as India begin shaping their plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, that description is set to get an upgrade.

Axar isn't simply being groomed to take Jadeja's place, Patel could be asked to anchor India's slow bowling attack in the World Cup.

Jadeja's omission has already prompted talk of a changing philosophy. India appear increasingly attracted to the prospect of a spin attack built around containment rather than sustained aggression. Patel operating alongside Washington Sundar - both are capable of squeezin...