Axar Patel continued his impressive form against England on the first day of the Test series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Choosing to bat after winning the toss, England found themselves in early trouble at 60 for 3 in just 15.1 overs. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root tried to stabilize the innings with a 61-run partnership, but Axar Patel had other plans.
In the 16th over, Axar bowled a stunning delivery that left Bairstow completely baffled. The ball, landing on the middle stump, turned sharply and kissed the top of the off-stump. Bairstow, attempting a forward defensive stroke, was left stranded as the ball spun unexpectedly, and the off-stump was disturbed.
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The dismissal highlighted Axar Patel’s skill in extracting turn and bounce from the surface, leaving the English batter in disbelief. Bairstow’s departure added to England’s woes, putting them in a challenging position against the Indian bowling attack.
Here is the video of the delivery from Axar Patel:
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁. 𝗪𝗮𝘀. 𝗔. 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁! ⚡️ ⚡️@akshar2026 with his first wicket of the match 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/HGTxXf8b1E#TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/liBwODtcrM
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2024
Axar Patel’s remarkable delivery showcased the dominance of Indian bowlers on the opening day of the Test match. England now faces an uphill task to build a substantial first innings total and counter the threat posed by the Indian bowlers. With the top order struggling, Joe Root, the former captain, will need to anchor the innings and guide England to a competitive score.
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As the Test series unfolds, the battle between the English batters and the Indian spinners, led by Axar Patel, promises to be a captivating spectacle. The first day’s play has set the tone for a challenging contest, with both teams vying for supremacy in the subcontinental conditions.
India’s playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
England’s playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (c), Ben Foakes (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jack Leach
