Despite West Indies dominating through the major part of India’s chase in the second ODI, Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson made a brilliant partnership along with sizeable contributions from the lower order brought the game down to the last over in the second ODI in Port of Spain on Sunday. India needed eight runs to win the match and clinch the series. But Axar Patel was entirely left to himself with Mohammed Siraj at the other end and Yuzvendra Chahal was the next to come out to bat.
But the all-rounder held his nerves to smash a huge six over long-off in the fourth ball of the over as India won the match with two wickets in hand. Following the series victory, Siraj shed light on the tensed final over and his discussion with Axar. Even with his twin boundaries, Avesh Khan helped India’s cause in the run chase in the penultimate over before being dismissed.
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Siraj walked in for the final over to assist Axar. The all-rounder could not risk a single as Siraj is not known for his batting. Hence when Axar slogged the fuller delivery from Kyle Mayers towards deep mid-wicket on the second ball, he wanted a second run, but failed to return.
Recalling the moment after the match, Mohammed Siraj, in conversation with BCCI.tv, revealed that the way Axar talked about the chase and the manner in which he was all pumped up to take India over the line, rubbed on him as well. He added that he too felt he could clobber that ball, the third delivery in the over, for a six. But as Siraj described, he sensibly pushed for a single to bring Axar on strike.
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In the video, Mohammed Siraj was heard saying, “Axar ko dekh ke lag raha tha ki jaise woh baat kar raha tha, jaise woh pumped tha, alag hi feel ho raha tha. Mujhe bhi feel ho raha tha hi mai bhi maar dunga chakka. But sensible yehi tha ki mera single lena.”
Reactions from the dugout and change room as @akshar2026 sealed the ODI series in style 😎👏#TeamIndia #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/ZB8B6CMEbP
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 25, 2022
Well, he was absolutely correct in doing so. With India needing 6 off 3, Axar dispatched the low-full-toss delivery over long-off for a six. India hence claimed the ODI series with the final tie yet to be played. The third ODI will be held at the same venue on Wednesday.
