Axar Patel is known more for his match-winning efforts with the ball, particularly in Test cricket, but he put on his batting hat on Sunday to lead India to victory. The all-rounder finished with an unbeaten 64 off 35 balls, hitting the winning runs with a six off fourth ball of the last over. He thus helped India chase down a target of 312 and seal an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Axar and No.9 Avesh Khan had a rather hilarious interaction with spinner Yuzvendra Chahal after the match in the latter's 'Chahal TV' series of videos on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) website. Chahal started the conversation by asking Axar: "Man of the match, mila kya (Did you get the man of the match)?". Axar replied, "Player of the match mila (got the player of the match award)".
“When we reached the 39th over (Deepak) Hooda and I were saying that there is just 11 overs left and we have to score around 105 runs. So we may to go at a run rate of 9.5 or 10. This normally happens in the IPL as well and we will just play with intent and not think too much. Just take a chance in every over and that should be enough,” said Axar.
{{/usCountry}}“When we reached the 39th over (Deepak) Hooda and I were saying that there is just 11 overs left and we have to score around 105 runs. So we may to go at a run rate of 9.5 or 10. This normally happens in the IPL as well and we will just play with intent and not think too much. Just take a chance in every over and that should be enough,” said Axar.
{{/usCountry}}“Avesh bhaiya used his brains. He said look, all the bowlers have finished their 10 overs which means that maybe a part-timer will have to bowl the last over. So I just thought not to take too much risk before the 49th over.”
Kyle Mayers bowled the last over with India needing eight runs to win. Axar and Mohammed Siraj managed to take singles off the second and third balls after which the former hit a full toss straight back into the stands to finish the match.