Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has ignited a significant debate by asserting that Axar Patel is "way ahead" of Ravindra Jadeja in white-ball cricket. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif emphasized Axar's superior strike rate, batting ability, and capacity to hit sixes, along with his effectiveness with the ball, including bowling in the powerplay. He further questioned why Axar was not part of the ODI squad for the ongoing series against New Zealand, particularly given New Zealand's historical struggles against spin. Beyond the Axar-Jadeja comparison, Kaif also critically evaluated the selection of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy's inclusion in the playing XI, especially over Axar, has drawn scrutiny after his underwhelming performance in the second ODI against New Zealand in Rajkot, where he scored 20 runs off 21 balls and conceded 13 runs from two wicketless overs. India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate echoed these concerns, stating that Reddy "often ends up not doing a heck of a lot" when given opportunities, highlighting the team management's reservations about his consistent impact. Jadeja's recent form in ODIs has also been a point of discussion, with his last ODI half-century at home dating back to 2013 and only one wicket across his last five ODI appearances, prompting questions about his continued role in the squad. The overarching theme of these discussions revolves around India's all-rounder options and team balance, especially with Hardik Pandya's fitness concerns, making the performances of players like Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy crucial for future selections.