Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik has put his weight behind Axar Patel after India suffered a 56-run loss in the fifth T20I against England at Rose Bowl, Southampton on Saturday. 

Patel registered figures of 0-63 in his quota of four overs as he was taken to the cleaners by Jos Buttler and Harry Brook. This is Patel’s worst ever figures in T20Is as he conceded his runs at 15.80.

“The Indian bowlers had absolutely no clue where to bowl, none of the Indian bowlers could actually restrict the runs, there was a feeling at a stage that they can get to 260-265. They absolutely annihilated the spinners. The way Harry Brook took down Axar Patel, it was a masterclass. You cannot fault Axar Patel, because whatever he tried, Brook had the answer to it,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

On the other hand, India’s T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma had come under scrutiny for his mundane performances and his strike rate was also questioned. However, Varma answered his critics in style as he scored a fighting knock of 53 runs of 25 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes.

“When they came into bat, there were only two batters that did well. One was Ishan Kishan, and then it was Tilak Varma, who actually showed what his potential, what his talent is. England yet again strangled India, at no point did India feel they could get away with the chase, or get close to the score. England made sure they are clinical, as they have been throughout the series, and gave nothing away,” Dinesh Karthik added.

Despite half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma, India could only manage 201 runs after England posted a gargantuan total of 257 runs on the board. Jos Buttler and Harry Brook scored 131 and 95 runs respectively to help post an above-par score. 

India and England will next take on each other in a three-match ODI series, starting Tuesday at Birmingham, Edgbaston.