India’s all-rounder Axar Patel continued his excellent form from the last match in the 2nd Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The star all-rounder had scored 84 runs in the first innings of the Nagpur Test. He followed it up with another half-century in the second match, which is currently underway in Delhi.
He came in to bat in a tough situation when India had lost a few wickets in quick succession. Axar then stitched a crucial partnership with all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, when it all looked over for India. On day two of the second Test, Australia bowled out India for 262 after the all-rounders added 114 runs.
Axar (74 off 115) led India’s comeback with a boundary-laden half-century. The all-rounder smashed nine fours and three sixes. He was well-supported by Ashwin (37 off 71), and the duo appeared poised to give India the lead.
In the meantime, the team led by Rohit Sharma crushed the visitors for a total of 263 runs. Pacer Mohammed Shami claimed four wickets in the innings, while all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin each claimed three.
Following that, India batted through Day 1 with a score of 21/0. After that, however, it was all downhill for them. At tea on Day 2, India had a score of 179 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, with Lyon completing his five-wicket haul.
However, the partnership between Axar and Ashwin got the team back in control of the game. With a trail of just one run, India will now look to keep the Baggy Greens restricted to a low score to chase it down later on. On the other hand, the visitors will look to pose a good target for India.
India currently leads the four-match Test series 1-0. They won the first match at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur by an innings and 132 runs. A win for India in this match would mean that they will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Axar Patel’s innings
Bapu????
— sonya (@sonyakapoor11) February 18, 2023
Axar this knock >>>>>> bkl rahul popa whole career
— ? I AM NOT A CRICKET BOOKIE? (@lode_ka_bookie) February 18, 2023
— . (@onlyRP17matters) February 18, 2023
Has really saved the ass of our top 5
— PK (@LM10Supremacy) February 18, 2023
Bapu thari batting bhi kmaal chhe!
— Rishav Dev (@RishavD94158804) February 18, 2023
Rename Gujarat as AxarPradesh @narendramodi
— ?? (@dtsaae) February 18, 2023
Till now Highest run scorer in this series
— KARAN SINGH (@karanproboy264) February 18, 2023
Axar Patel is proving why he is a proper allrounder for India. Score some really crucial runs. Awesome bappu ??
— Shakti Man ? (@IamShaktiMann) February 18, 2023
84 in 1st innings of 1st test
74 in 1st innings of 2nd testAxar ?
— Adlee (@ImAdlee225) February 18, 2023
That was a way better test innings than KL Rahul has played in his last 15 innings
— Vish4u?? (@vibhash25183888) February 18, 2023
