Axar Patel credits Ricky Ponting for masterful show with the bat

Axar Patel (Source: AP Newsroom)

A stupendous show with the bat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium by India's all-rounder Axar Patel where he managed to score 74 against the formidable Australian attack especially when the side were in need of a desperate revival, helped him earn plaudits from everyone.

Patel's knock ensured India reached close to the total of 263 posted by the visitors and in fact almost covered the trail, falling short by just one run.

Playing against the turning deliveries of Nathan Lyon and the other two spinners wasn't at all easy but the left-hander made it look like a cakewalk as he formed a mammoth 114-run partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin.

After the day's play ended, the left-arm spinner was asked about how did he level up his batting abilities. To this, the 29-year-old credited his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals' head coach Ricky Ponting for helping him to change his mindset.

"At Delhi Capitals, I talked a lot with Ricky about how I can get better with my batting. Even in the Indian team, I was talking to the batters. I felt I was not realising my potential in my 30s and 40s. I was not able to finish the game. So, it was a lot about the mindset,"

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"Sometimes you can relax as an all-rounder if you have taken wickets, you could get casual. So I thought I could improve on that and convert my 30s and 40s into match-winning scores. That is how I think now and that has made a big difference."

India were bundled out for 262 after which the Aussies came out to bat and scored 61 for the loss of one wicket till the end of the day.