When the Indian all-rounder, Axar Patel walked out to bat Team India was reeling at 57/5, and with the asking rate creeping up, the all-rounder showcased batting credentials with a stunning assault, but he failed to avoid the 16-run loss. In a video posted by BCCI.TV, Axar spoke about what was the approach he and Suryakumar Yadav took made a crucial partnership of 91 runs in just 40 balls for the sixth wicket in the second T20I against Sri Lanka.
Talking about his approach, Axar Patel said, “When I went in, I spoke to Surya bhai, and he told me if we show intent, we might have an outside chance. We tried to score 10-12 runs per over and wanted to take the game deep. We knew that if we couple of overs will our way, we’ll have high chances.”
🗣️🗣️ @akshar2026 talks about his valiant quick-fire maiden T20I fifty, those 3 sixes off Hasaranga & shares a special message for #TeamIndia fans ahead of the #INDvSL T20I series decider in Rajkot 👌🏻👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/IwhnVHkEvk
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2023
Axar was particularly severe on off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana, clobbering the bowler for a four and six over long-on in the 13th over. It was not just Theekshana, Hasaranga de Silva also was at the receiving end of Axar’s aggression as the left-hander smacked the bowler for a hat-trick of sixes in the 14th over.
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Describing the same, Axar Patel said, “I had not thought about taking on Hasranaga. I was just watching the ball and decided if it will be in my zone I will go for it.”
Axar brought up his maiden half-century in T20Is off just 20 balls with a six of Karunaratne over long-off. He raised hopes of a famous victory but it was not to be as the visitors pulled the strings just in time to level the series.
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Talking about his fiery half-century, Axar Patel said, “First fifty is always special, but I am not happy because we lost the match. I had the chance to finish the match.” India and Sri Lanka will be locking horns with each other in the final T20 at the SCA stadium in Rajkot.f
