Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif lauded Axar Patel’s spell in the second innings against Bangladesh after the visitors registered a convincing win of 188 runs at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chhatogram on Sunday. Patel returned with figures of 4-77 in the second essay and played a key role in skittling out the opposition at 324 runs.
In fact, this was the first time when Patel was playing a Test match in foreign conditions but he was able to make the most of the conditions. Patel’s pace and accuracy were ideal to be successful in the second innings as the pitch was flat.
The left-arm orthodox spinner looked like the most dangerous bowler to get wickets at regular intervals. Patel backed his strength of bowling straight at the stumps and he was able to reap rewards for the same.
Patel accounted for Yasir Ali, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taijul Islam, and Nurul Hasan in his fine spell in the second essay. Furthermore, he had picked one wicket in the first innings.
Mohammad Kaif said on Sony Sports, “This Test match will be memorable for him (Axar) because there was a time when KL Rahul was searching for bowlers in the second innings when there was a partnership. The wicket Umesh (Yadav) took, Axar had put the pressure. The door opened from there, and his overall performance was fantastic.”
“I will praise Axar Patel, as he was bowling for the first time with the Kookaburra ball. He generally plays in India; there you get the SG Test ball, which has a more upright seam, and you get a good grip. This ball becomes flat when the hardness goes down, and then it is difficult to grip.”
Patel has got off to a dream start in his Test career as he has scalped 44 wickets in seven Test matches at an average of 13 and thus he will want to carry the good form.
Patel’s consistent performances will also make it difficult for Ravindra Jadeja, who is currently out of action due to a knee injury, to return back to the team. Kaif wants the management to give consistent chances to a particular player.
“Let it happen when it happens; let Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma see when Jadeja gets bac. My only thing is that if you have picked someone, play him. The problem is that they pick someone, then leave him and get someone else.”
“Let us know if someone has gotten injured. We know nothing. We don’t know why Rishabh Pant didn’t play the three ODIs. We request some transparency, but there is a lot of talent, whether you talk about Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.”
The second Test match will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka from December 22.
