India leads the five-match T20I series 2-1 with the final match to played in Brisbane on Nov 8.
Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel was the star for his team, who defeated Australia by 48 runs in the 4th T20I of the ongoing five-match series. This match was played at the Carrara Oval in Gold Coast.
Asked to bat first, India managed 167/8 in 20 overs on a pitch that was on the slower side and helped the spinners. Shubman Gill made 46 in 39 balls, while Shivam Dube made 22 and Suryakumar Yadav made 20.
India lost a bunch of wickets in the middle, and it was Axar Patel’s 11-ball 21* that powered India to a fighting total. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa took three wickets each for Australia.
In response, Matt Short and Mitch Marsh gave a good start to Australia with a 47-run opening wicket partnership. However, Australia lost the plot from 67/2 as Indian spinners choked the life out of their chase.
Axar Patel took 2/20, while Washington Sundar took 3/3, while Shivam Dube starred with two wickets, those of dangerous Tim David and Mitch Marsh. Australia was bundled for 119 runs, and India took a 2-1 lead in the series.
Axar Patel was chosen Player of the Match for his all-round performance and disclosed that he had analyzed the pitch and discovered that it was slower and had unexpected bounce, which he took advantage of in the second inning.
"Yeah, I had a chance when I got to bat at number 7. I looked at the wicket and spoke to the batters. The message was that the pitch is offering unexpected bounce, and it is on the slower side. I just held my position and hit the right lengths,” Axar said in the post-match presentation.
Patel also mentioned that he’s ready to take up any role for the team, with the main focus on giving impactful performances.
“I think wherever the team needs me, that's my favored position. If I come up with an impactful performance for my team, that’s best for me. I don't think number 6 or 7 is my favored position. Whatever my team needs me to do, I just go and do that,” said Patel.
Furthermore, he revealed the specifics of his bowling strategy, stating that he varied it based on the batter's strengths.
“I was thinking, what is the batter's strength? If they are trying to hit me, I can bowl good length, and if they are sweeping me, I can bowl a bit full. I was going at the stumps at all times. This worked for me today,” he added.
The series will be decided in the fifth and final T20I that will be played on November 8 in Brisbane.
(ANI inputs)