{
  "id": 18927512,
  "title": "Sunil Gavaskar backs promoting Axar Patel to five on tricky Wellington pitch",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/sunil-gavaskar-backs-promoting-axar-patel-to-five-on-tricky",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T11:37:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-backs-promoting-axar-patel-to-five-on-tricky-wellington-pitch-10955598/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After Rohit Sharma's dismissal at 39/3 in the second ODI in Wellington, India brought Axar Patel into the team at number 6. However, the challenging pitch made it a tough task for the Indian batsman to face the quality Kiwi bowlers. Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar agreed with the decision of sending a left-hander up the order to break the sequence of right-handers. Gavaskar explained that facing left-handed batters can be tricky for right-handed bowlers as the line and length need to be adjusted, which could create more chances for the batsman. Despite Axar's seven-run performance from seventeen deliveries, Gavaskar believed that such a move can work at times. India captain Shubman Gill admitted that while he thought a target of 134 would be easy to chase, the Wellington pitch made it a difficult task. He expressed happiness in getting the win, despite losing two extra wickets than desired.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Sunil Gavaskar supports promoting Axar Patel to five.",
    "Challenging Wellington pitch hindered Axar's performance.",
    "Shubman Gill acknowledges difficulty in chasing 134 target."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}