Axar Patel’s batting has been India’s biggest asset in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Gujarat all-rounder had some thumb rules that ensured he finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer in the four-match Test series against Australia. finished as a player. Akshar scored 264 runs with three fifty-plus innings – 84 in Nagpur, 74 in Delhi and 79 in the ongoing match. Even though the Motera track is known to be calm, the 22-yard strips at Jamtha and Kotla presented their own set of challenges and the southpaw was up for it.
Akshar told media persons after the end of the fourth day, “When we started with the camp in Nagpur, we knew that we would play on the turning track. I did not prepare or plan much, but did my best to play on the spinning track. studied.” Play in the fourth and final Test. (Follow live India vs Australia 4th Test score and updates)
So, what was the basic plan that he followed?
“I prepared myself to stand at leg-stump to keep an eye out for possible leg-before and stumping, as these are the two ways dismissals can happen on a turning track. I didn’t take much action against the off Also planned. -spinner. I was preparing myself for these things before the series started,” Akshar said about his plans.
84 in Nagpur.
74 in Delhi.
79 in AhmedabadAkshar Patel has been a game changer for India with the bat in BGT 2023. pic.twitter.com/j2szRgpmDB– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 12, 2023
He laughed when asked if he regretted missing out on three potential hundreds. (IND vs AUS: Steve Smith won hearts on social media, congratulated Virat Kohli after a brilliant knock – see picture)
“You have rubbed salt on the wounds (laughs). The way I was batting… and I know the chances I missed don’t come around often. Bade run karne da (had to score big). The positive thing is that I batted the way I wanted to and we (with Virat Kohli) had a good partnership when the team needed it. I am thinking about what you said ( (smiles again) but not thinking too much about it right now. I might (feel bad) more about it when I get back in the room.”
The next possible Test match could be the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in London and India could go in with only one spinner and that would most likely be Ravindra Jadeja.
“What are you saying about me getting a place in the XI (for the WTC final), it is not in my hands and I can’t do anything about it. I am performing in the opportunities that I get. I have been working hard and focusing on what is in hand. The coach and the captain decide the playing XI and my job is to keep performing consistently and make it into the playing XI.”
No specific message from the dressing room
Akshar said that there was no specific message from the dressing room and the strategy was just to play positive.
“When I was batting with Virat bhai, there was no specific message from the team. Virat bhai told me to keep playing positively, like I do. Once we were set, So the bowlers were not getting much help from the pitch as well.” Once I was set, I was adding deliveries that were on my radar.
“Virat bhai was also saying it’s 50 now and I can think big as there were 22 overs left in the day’s play. There was no message about declaring or playing fast. The kind of pitch it was and it was 150. Was batting and I was over 50.” So the runs were coming in flow.”
“You guys only wanted five-day Tests”
The first three Tests ended well within three days and a question arose as to whether he was surprised that the match went into the fifth day.
Akshar said, “After the first three matches, everyone said that the game got over in three days. Now the match is going to the fifth day, and you are saying that it is surprising. It is not in our hands. ”
“We thought we would buy from the wicket but we didn’t. We have to play according to the wicket. We were a bit surprised that only the first innings got finished in the first four days. We can’t expect much and ” We come tomorrow and win,” he concluded.
