Axar Patel gains confidence in his batting ability during the ongoing Test series against Australia
Indian all-rounder Axar Patel said that he has been gaining confidence in his batting ability since the first Test of the ongoing India vs Australia series.
Speaking after the fourth day’s play in Ahmedabad, Axar said, “I’m feeling good to have contributed with the bat. I’ve had the confidence to go after ones that I can hit, the talk in the 1st Test is what I’m following and I’m gaining a bit of information about my ability with the bat.”
Selfless innings from Patel leads India to 91-run lead
Axar Patel scored a brisk 79-run innings to help India secure a 91-run lead. Patel got to his fifty in 95 balls but accelerated in the final session, taking the Australian spinners to the cleaners.
He smashed sixes into the deep mid-wicket boundary with ease. Patel was severe against Matthew Kuhnemann, slog-sweeping the left-arm spinner into the stands.
Patel looked dejected when he was out bowled by Mitchell Starc in the pacer’s first over of a new spell in the final session. He looked to smash Starc through the covers but inside-edged a clever off-cutter from the pacer onto the stumps.
“It was a selfless innings. He did the hard yards and then provided the acceleration for India in the final session,” Sunil Gavaskar, who was on-air for the official broadcasters, said, lauding the all-rounder’s effort.
“I had no set role (when asked if he was told to score quickly), just wanted to make as many runs as possible, bat along with the ball not doing a lot.
“Once you’re set, it’s easier to bat, the odd ball is turning and staying low, and it’s slightly difficult when you’re new to the crease, but once you adjust, it’s still easy to bat on this wicket,” Patel said.
Kohli and Patel build 162-run partnership
In addition to Axar, Virat Kohli scored 186 as India ended their first innings at 571. The duo built a 162-run partnership.
Resuming the penultimate day on 289 for three, India rode on Kohli’s first Test century in more than three years to get past the Australian first innings total of 480 in the final session.
At stumps on the fourth day, Australia were three for no loss in their second essay with Matthew Kuhnemann (0 batting) and Travis Head (3 batting) seeing through their six overs in the final session. Australia is behind by 88 runs.
