After attempting to strike too hard during a fruitless T20 run against England, all-rounder Axar Patel said that his controlled half-century against the same opposition in India’s match-winning chase in the opening ODI at Birmingham was the product of a newfound attention on timing.
After taking four wickets in his 9.5 overs, Axar demonstrated all-around skill by hitting a 52-ball 57 that included five fours and a maximum.
With a well-paced pursuit of 259, India won the game with four wickets in hand and 28 balls to spare. Washington Sundar (52) and captain Shubman Gill (80) were also instrumental in the chase.
“It was very important for me to deliver this kind of performance. As for my mindset, I needed to keep at it. I had to stay focused rather than thinking it would just happen on its own. I had to have self-belief and execute my plans. I feel like I was trying to hit the ball too hard during the T20Is,” PTI quoted Axar, who was adjudged player of the match, telling ‘JioStar’.
“When you go in to bat in the death overs, you don’t have any other option but to go for big shots, but I was losing my shape a little. So, when I went in to bat in this game, obviously after we got a great start, I just wanted to build a partnership,” he said, explaining the tweaks he made.
In the T20 series that India lost 0–4 last week, Axar amassed a total of 19 runs. The 32-year-old stated on Tuesday that timing the ball was his main focus.
“I wasn’t trying to hit the ball too hard because I knew I had time and could afford to take a few balls as well. I was focusing on my timing. On this kind of wicket, it is very important to trust the bounce. Once you start reading it well, I think you can score runs,” he said.
Talking about the Edgbaston wicket, Axar said it was not conducive for strokeplay at the very outset and batters in both the teams needed time to settle down. “…whoever was new to the crease found it very difficult to come in and start hitting straight away. Even for them, it became easier for Joe Root and Liam Dawson once the partnership was set.
“So I think spending some time at the crease after coming in to bat was very important. On such wickets, you cannot come in and play shots on the rise immediately because there was bounce, and it was swinging and seaming as well. You have to give yourself that little bit of time, and after that, you could play your shots,” he said.
When asked how the team benefited from the return of experienced players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul, Axar replied that their presence brought a sense of serenity that ultimately showed up in the performance.
“Obviously, we have been playing alongside each other for a long time. Over time, you form a strong camaraderie, and that brings a sense of confidence because we have won a lot of matches together, and we’ve lost a few as well.
“But that confidence is there because everyone knows their roles and what they need to do. There is unity, the team gels well together, and you can see that on the field too, with the banter and fun everyone was having. It creates a very relaxed atmosphere,” he said.
The second game of the series between India and England will take place in Cardiff on Thursday.
