Axar scored an unbeaten 31 off 20 balls in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, January 3, as India set a 163-run target. The spin-bowling all-rounder then defended 12 runs in the final over as the Men in Blue registered a two-run win.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Gambhir was asked about his thoughts on Axar Patel’s knock, to which he responded:
The cricketer-turned-politician feels the competition for places will benefit the Indian team, observing:
Axar joined Deepak Hooda in the middle when India were in a precarious position at 94/5 in the 15th over. The duo strung together an unbroken 68-run sixth-wicket partnership in less than six overs to take them to a fighting total.
“The decision could have proved very costly” - Irfan Pathan on Axar Patel bowling the last over
Irfan Pathan was further asked about Hardik Pandya’s call to give the final over to Axar, to which he replied:
The former Indian all-rounder praised Axar for not letting his bad experience from bowling the last over to MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL) haunt him in Tuesday’s game. He elaborated:
Axar was asked to bowl the last over with Sri Lanka needing 13 runs for a win with two wickets in hand. Although Chamika Karunaratne smoked a six off his third delivery, the left-arm spinner didn’t allow him to score the required five runs off the final three deliveries.
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