Signed, sealed and delivered by Axar Patel.” Former West Indies fast bowler-turned commentator Ian Bishop couldn’t have chosen better words, soon after Axar smashed a full toss from Kyle Mayers down the ground — when six was needed off three balls — to pull off a thrilling two-wicket win for India in the second ODI against West Indies at Port-of-Spain.
The left-arm spinning allrounder’s match-winning effort with the bat — 64 not out (35b, 4x4, 5x6) — which came on the top of an economical spell with the ball (1-40 in 9 overs in a high-scoring game) — helped India clinched the series 2-0. The third ODI at the same venue on Wednesday is now a dead rubber.
For those who aren’t following this series due to lack of star power in the Indian side and a weak West Indies lineup, Axar’s knock merits attention and will count amongst the better ones in a chase for India. When he walked in at No. 7, India, chasing 312, were 205 in the 39th over, needing 107 off 68 balls. With Shubhman Gill (43), Shreyas Iyer (63), Sanju Samson (54) all having failed to carry on for a big one, the visitors looked in danger of losing this one. Soon, they needed 100 in the final 10 overs.
Conscious of the rising run rate, Axar began his assault by pulling leftarm spinner Akeal Hosein over fine leg for six. The left-hander then hit Romario Shepherd for another maximum over the bowler’s head to show his intentions. Even as he kept losing partners at the other end — Deepak Hooda (33), Shardul Thakur (3) and debutant Avesh Khan (10) — the Gujarat man kept clearing the boundary easily. A straight six over long on, off a slower Alazzari Joseph ball, stood out.
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