New Delhi, Feb. 14 -- As Team India gears up for the start of their ICC Champions Trophy campaign, one player that is really worth watching out is the spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel.

While his performances over the years and improvements in batting have been under the radar of many and he is just one of many options in a country that has no shortage of spin bowling all-rounders, a deep dive into his role can really help one understand that he is a rare specie as far as Indian cricket is concerned: A spinner, who bashes spin with his bat too!

In the 2020s, Axar's numbers with the bat across all formats have undergone a huge upgrade. In 99 matches and 81 innings, Axar has scored 1,606 runs at an average of 26.76, with eight half-cent...