Gavaskar backs Gambhir’s call to bat Axar Patel at No. 5 in second ODI
Cricket
On November 8, 2026, Sunil Gavaskar endorsed Gautam Gambhir's decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 during the second ODI against New Zealand.
India faced early trouble while chasing a target of 135 after losing key wickets, and Axar, sent in at No. 5, scored seven before being dismissed.
KL Rahul steadied the innings following Axar's dismissal and contributed to India's eventual DLS victory.
