Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for promoting Axar Patel in the run-chase against New Zealand in the first T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Thursday.
After getting off to an electric start, India fumbled after the Powerplay overs, losing four wickets in five overs. From 93-0, the visitors found themselves under the cosh at 122-4 when Gambhir and co. decided to send Axar Patel ahead of Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
The spin-bowling all-rounder played a crucial cameo of 14-ball 24 and added 45 runs off 24 balls with captain Shreyas Iyer, to get India’s run-chase back on track.
“Axar Patel’s numbers, that 24 off 14. It probably looks smaller in stature some of the 40-plus scores, but I think that was the most crucial part of the innings, because those 2 spinners were actually taking the game away from India. At that stage, Axar Patel came in, played a few shots, and put the pressure even away from Shreyas Iyer. So, credit to Gautam Gambhir for slotting that little phase where he thought that a left-hander would be useful,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
“Axar Patel came in with no sort of confusion, went and played the shots that he is great at. I think that was very important,” Karthik added.
Eventually, India registered their highest run-chase in New Zealand conditions and Karthik gave credit to the tourists for hitting the ground running on the tour.
“I think it is India’s skill wherein they have just come a few continents away from a different time zone, adapted so quickly, and in a high-scoring chase, got the job done. I thought it would be a lot harder than what they showed today. That just tells you the extreme and impressive skill levels that this current Indian team has,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.
The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday.
