Local boy Axar Patel had a start to remember in the pink-ball Test between India and England at the newly inaugurated Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahemdabad. 27-year-old Patel clinched a fifer in the first innings of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test. He dominated the visitors with his sumptuous spell of 38 for 6 in the first innings.
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A five-wicket haul in his debut Test ✅
A five-wicket haul in his second Test ✅Axar Patel 👏 pic.twitter.com/p88tgQzHx9
— ICC (@ICC) February 24, 2021
IND vs ENG: Axar Shines For Team India
The hosts halted the visitors for a cheap total of 112 runs and most of its credits go to Axar Patel’s six-wicket haul. His arm-ball did the trick for him during the first innings. He got the better of four English batsmen with the help of his arm-ball. The left-arm spinner revealed the secret behind his pitch-perfect arm ball.
Patel stated that he has learned the skill of pulling off an arm ball all by himself. He added that former Indian left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju helped him master the skill. Patel further stated that his stint as a fast bowler during his younger days is the main reason behind his quicker ones.
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Axar Patel’s presser:
“I have learnt the arm ball myself. I worked with Venkat Sir (Venkatapathy Raju) at the NCA to master this delivery. I was a fast bowler in the early days of my career, which is why my bowling style is a bit quicker. So, I think my experience of being a fast-bowler also helps me bowl arm balls. I converted myself into a spinner only because of knee problems, but what I used to do in my early days helps me bowl those arm balls quicker,” said Patel in the post-match press conference.
“But to be honest, I didn’t expect getting a six-for on the first day itself as there was no guarantee that we would be bowling first. However, the confidence was always thereafter I took five wickets in the previous Test and was bowling well too,” concluded Patel.
