Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Axar Patel for his match-winning performance in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final clash against England. He added that the spin-bowling all-rounder does get the credit he deserves as well. However, he registered a spell of 3/23 in four overs as India bundled England out for 103 to register a 68-run win and book their place in the final against South Africa in Barbados as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said, “Axar Patel was the Player of the Match. He is an incredible guy. I am crying and screaming from the Pakistan match that he is not getting the attention, importance and acknowledgment that he deserves. He is the Player of the Match but no one will talk about him tomorrow. However, Bapu’s performance has been absolutely outstanding. In my opinion, 171 was too far away. You needed magical stuff to reach that total and only one batter was capable of that magic and his name is Jos Buttler. He started well and had hit in the first three overs but who came then? Bapu sehat ke liye tu toh haanikaarak hai.”
He also lauded the left-arm spinner for dismissing Jos Buttler, the biggest threat in England’s batting lineup, with his first
delivery as well. He further added that Kuldeep, Axar, and Jasprit Bumrah’s potent spells helped India register a comprehensive victory as well.
“He got Buttler out off the first ball of his first over. I had even tweeted that Axar should be brought. He came and picked up a wicket and then the wickets kept falling. Bumrah hit Salt’s stumps and then Jonny Bairstow came and went because he also couldn’t play Axar Patel,” he observed.
“This Bapu is not those ‘Ahimsa paramo dharma’ (non-violence is the highest moral virtue). His photo will come on the note now. Moeen Ali ran down the pitch and got himself out. Sam Curran got out and took a review with him. Kuldeep Yadav got him out. Harry Brook batted for a little while. He was looking good but for how long could he have batted? He couldn’t have done anything and he too got out. Liam Livingstone stood for some time and then he got run out. The ball hit Harry Brook’s stumps when he was trying to play a reverse sweep. Kuldeep Yadav picked up three wickets and Axar Patel also took three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah took two and the Indian team won by 68 runs,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
