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‘I Am Not Afraid’ - Axar Patel After Pummelling AFG With Series-Winning Spell For India

image-lrdrjttuAxar Patel celebrating a wicket with teammates in second T20I (AP)

Axar Patel delivered his second successive match-winning spell for India against Afghanistan, this time pummelling the visitors at Indore’s Holkar Stadium in the second T20I of their three-match series.

The 30-year-old left-arm spinner conceded just 17 runs off his four overs, and claimed the key wickets of Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran and dangerman Gulbadin Naib. Despite dazzling half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube’s in India’s successful run-chase later in the game, Axar Patel was adjudged as ‘Player of the Match’ for his twin match-winning strikes with the ball.

Axar speaks on new milestone, gameplan after win

Axar Patel claimed astonishing figures of 2-17 from his four overs. His match-winning spell also helped him scale the 200-wicket mark in T20 cricket, thus becoming only the second Indian player in format’s history after Ravindra Jadeja to claim more than 200 wickets and score over 2,500 runs.

While speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, the dashing all-rounder acknowledged the significant achievement by saying:

“I feel good, I got to know about the achievement when I was preparing to bat and saw on TV, it feels nice but it is important to do well for India. I don't think I will remember the numbers in few years.”

Axar Patel also added that the has gained immense confidence since the last couple of white-ball series for Team India, and is looking forward to carrying the same momentum in future international assignments.

The cricketer further claimed that he is confident enough of bowling in the powerplay as well as in the latter stages of the innings, and is not afraid of varying his pace. Elaborating his mindset while bowling in limited-overs matches, he added:

“I am doing well since last 2-3 series which has boosted my confidence that I am carrying forward. I feel confident bowling in the powerplay and in the later stages. I am not afraid to vary my pace. You need to be mentally ready that the next ball can be hit for a boundary as well and despite getting hit for a boundary one should be mentally brave and bowl in the same area. If the batter hits again then change the plan. Earlier I used to change as soon as I got hit for a boundary but now I challenge the batter to go for the big stroke again and take that risk.”

Axar Patel will now turn up for Team India in the third and final T20I of their series against Afghanistan on January 17. The match will be hosted by the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.