India’s greenhorn spinner Axar Patel has had a dream start to his Test career. Patel had scalped seven wickets in his debut Test match at Chepauk, including a five-wicket haul. The left-arm orthodox spinner continued his sublime form in the ongoing third Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Patel returned with figures of 6-38 in 21.4 overs as he continuously troubled the England batsmen. Thus, he played a key role in sktitting out the visitors for a paltry score of 112 runs after Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat first.
The off-spinner was brought into the attack in the seventh over of the first session and he wasted no time as he struck on his first ball and plumbed Jonny Bairstwo for a blob.
Patel was deadly accurate with his line and length and bowled in the right areas to breathe down the neck of the opposition batsmen. The local boy revealed that his aim was to keep the ball wicket to wicket and he was able to reap rewards for his accuracy.
Furthermore, Patel’s flipper created a lot of issues for the England batsmen. The 27-year old took three wickets via LBW whereas two of his dismissals came via bowled. Patel feels that 85-90 km/h is ideal pace for the spinner to bowl on this pitch and savour success.
Axar Patel said after the opening day, “When things are going for you, you need to capitalise. My aim is to keep wicket to wicket and use the help on offer. In Chennai the ball wasn’t skidding. But here it is and there are more LBWs. 85-90kph is an optimum speed. With a lot of T20 cricket happening, the effects are there in Tests as well with batsmen being more aggressive. That’s why keeping a tight line and pushing it through quicker is being more successful. If the batsman is defending well, then you go on the back foot in your mind. But if he’s not defending well and going for sweeps and reverse-sweeps you feel there’s a chance coming”.
Patel was brilliant with his accuracy and played a key role for the team. The off-spinner is known to hit the consistent line and length and he will aim to continue the good show.
Meanwhile, India ended the opening day in a commanding position as they have scored 99-3 and thus trail by only 13 runs. Rohit Sharma scored his 12th Test fifty and he is accompanied by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. The hosts will aim to continue their domination on the second day.
