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[Watch] Axar Patel Pulls Off A Blinder; Nabs Flying Catch To Jolt Hardik Pandya's Baroda

Akshita Patel

Axar Patel takes a blinder in SMAT game vs Baroda [Source: @BCCIdomestic/X.com]Axar Patel takes a blinder in SMAT game vs Baroda [Source: @BCCIdomestic/X.com]

In a fine fielding effort, Gujarat skipper Axar Patel took a blinder on the field to dismiss Atith Seth as Baroda was reduced to 80/3 in a 185-run chase. Axar jumped in time to pluck a challenging catch out of thin air as the crowd erupted to applaud his effort.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 season kicked off earlier today, with Baroda and Gujarat facing off in the opening round. Gujarat batted first after skipper Axar Patel lost the toss at Holkar Stadium in Indore.

On the back of opener Aarya Desai’s 78 off 52 balls and Axar’s 43 off 33 balls finish, Gujarat finished with a first-innings total of 184/5. In response, Baroda had a false start with two quick wickets from openers Ninad Rathva and Mitesh Patel. 

Axar Patel's fielding skills stuns Baroda!

However, Shivalik Sharma and Atith Seth stitched up a 64-run partnership for 4th wicket to anchor Baroda’s chase. To stop the duo’s assault, a special effort was needed, and that came from Gujarat skipper Axar Patel. 

Ravi Bishnoi bowled a fuller delivery to Atith Seth as he made room to attempt a lofted shot over covers. However, Axar Patel, fielding in the circle, timed his jump to perfection to take a clean catch in the air. 

The shot was racing for a boundary. However, Axar was quick, smooth, and precise in his remarkable fielding effort. That marked the end of Atith’s 16 off 18 balls stay at the crease, with Baroda reduced to 80/3. 

However, Axar Patel’s brilliant effort was wasted as Gujarat failed to defend the total. Hardik Pandya’s blistering 74* off 35 balls guided Baroda to a comfortable 5-wicket victory with 3 balls to spare.

Tilak Varma scripts history with 151 in SMAT

Promising Indian batter Tilak Varma scored his third straight hundred in the T20 format as he rammed Meghalaya with 151 off 67 balls, the highest individual score in the tournament’s history. His blazing century helped Hyderabad post a humongous total of 248/4. Previously, Varma scored two back-to-back hundred in the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa.