The Indian all-arounder, Axar Patel has revealed that the team management has asked him to be ready to bat higher up the order in the middle overs in T20 World Cup 2022. He also asserted that he has been working hard on his batting in the practice sessions. Axar was promoted to No. 5 in India’s big-ticket Super 12 match against Pakistan but he was unfortunately run out right after the powerplay.
During a chat with PTI, as per the quotes in India Today, Axar Patel said, “They (Pakistan) had left-arm spinner Nawaz and leg-spinner Shadab so it was important to send a left-hander and I was asked to go. Since our top six are right-handers, I have been told by management that if need be I will be promoted in the middle overs and I should be ready for that. That role is already assigned and I have performed in practice games.”
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Axar Patel got smacked hard against Pakistan as Iftikhar Ahmed went after the left-arm spinner, hitting him for three sixes. The Indian all-rounder bowled only one over and was taken off as he conceded 21 runs. However, he sat down with the video analysts after the match and understood where he went wrong and the chat with the management helped him overcome the disappointment.
Explaining the same, Axar Patel said, “The pitch was a bit dry and the ball was stopping and coming. The ball wasn’t exactly gripping so I was told to hit the deck hard as it was difficult to hit through the line. So that was the plan. After the Pakistan game, I sat with video analysts and the bowling coach. I analyzed and out of three sixes that were hit against me, I only bowled one bad ball. You will have those days but if you keep on thinking then you can’t survive.”
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It remains to be seen if Axar will retain his place in the side for India’s next big Super 12 contest against South Africa in Perth on Sunday. South Africa has multiple left-handed batters at the top and the condition in Perth might also warrant an extra fast bowler.
