In a thrilling encounter at Raipur, Team India secured a commanding 20-run victory over Australia in the fourth game of the five-game T20 series, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead. Matthew Wade, the Australian captain, won the toss and opted to field first, setting the stage for an intense battle under the floodlights.
India set a formidable target of 175, posting a total of 174/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Rinku Singh showcased his batting prowess, contributing 46 runs off 29 balls, while the explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Jitesh Sharma added a quickfire 35 runs off just 19 balls.
Australia, in pursuit of the target, could only manage 154/7 in their 20 overs, succumbing to India’s disciplined bowling attack. Axar Patel emerged as the hero of the match, registering impressive figures of 3/16 in his four overs. His exceptional performance played a crucial role in India’s victory.
Axar Patel, who missed the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury, showcased resilience and determination in his comeback. Despite India’s outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup, securing a spot in the final after winning all ten games, they fell short of clinching the title. Axar Patel, in the post-match presentation, revealed insights into his subtle change in technique, stating, “Itne din ghar pe tha na, toh kuchh naya try kar rha tha” (I was trying a lot of things when I was at home).
Axar Patel Breaks Silence On The Secret Behind His Comeback
Axar Patel attributed his success to sticking to his strengths and emphasized the importance of remaining mentally strong and attacking in this format. He highlighted the significance of picking wickets with a positive attitude and shared that focusing on bowling stump-to-stump was key to negating the dew factor. Axar Patel’s commitment to improvement during his injury break and the addition of new variations to his bowling underscored his determination to succeed at the highest level.
“I was trying a lot of things when I was at home and it came out well today. I tried to stick to my strengths and wasn’t really bothered even I had gotten hit and bowling stump-to-stump was the key to negate the dew factor,” Axar Patel said in the post-match presentation.
“To stay attacking and be mentally strong is important as there is every chance to get hit in this format. When you go with an attitude to pick wickets, will feel much better. During the (injury) break I focused on improving myself and add new variations to my bowling to remain successful at the highest level,” added Axar.
While Ravindra Jadeja has faced challenges in the T20 format recently and consequently missed out on squad selections, Axar Patel has seized the opportunity with both hands. His consistent performances have made him a valuable asset in the T20 format. However, it’s worth noting that Axar Patel won’t be part of the T20 squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa next month, raising questions about team selection strategies.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled for June, fans are eagerly anticipating India’s performance on the global stage. As teams gear up for the prestigious tournament, Axar Patel’s form and inclusion in the squad will be closely watched, given his recent impactful contributions in the T20 series against Australia.
