IND v NZ 2021: Never considered myself a white-ball specialist, says Akshar Patel after his 5-fer in Kanpur Test

Akshar Patel too his fifth five-wicket haul in just seven completed Test innings.

By Salman Anjum - 27 Nov, 2021

Akshar Patel put on a show with the ball as India bundled out New Zealand for 296 on Day 3 of the opening Test at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.

The left-arm spinner returned with the impressive figures of 5 for 62, which ensured a handy first-innings lead of 49 runs for the hosts. Tom Latham (95), Ross Taylor (11), Henry Nicholls (2), Tom Blundell (13), and Tim Southee (5) were his victims.

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It was Akshar’s fifth five-wicket haul in just seven completed Test innings, an incredible feat even if all of them have come in the spin-friendly conditions at home.

Speaking after the third day’s play, Akshar said the secret of his success lies in enjoying his craft and not restricting himself as a T20 specialist.

"Whenever I have played first-class or India A, I have done well. I have never seen myself as a white-ball specialist," he said in the press conference.

"It's all in mindset as to what you perceive yourself as – a white-ball specialist or red ball specialist. I always had the belief that whenever I get a chance I will do well. Obviously, I give credit to team members for having faith in me and I have been able to stand up to their expectations," he added.

When asked if he feels extra pressure with the presence of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the same playing XI, Akshar replied: "Whenever I go to the ground, I try and enjoy and not think about whether Ashwin bhai and Jaddu are there. When I have ball in my hand, I just try and see to it that I am enjoying my bowling, trying to read the wicket and understand what’s happening, how it's behaving and plan accordingly."

"I don’t think about whether my role is a lead one or whether there are senior bowlers around me, I only think about my bowling and what is required to be done in that particular spell," he further remarked.

Akshar made subtle changes while bowling on Day 3 compared to his first spell on the second day.

"I used the crease much more today and I didn’t use the crease a lot in the 10 overs that I bowled yesterday. I was using the crease by going wide and coming near the stumps, creating various angles, and that helped me get a lot of purchase," he said.

Patel revealed that stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Rahul Dravid helped in keeping a calm dressing room when the home team didn’t get the first breakthrough for 67 overs.

"Obviously, if you don't get a wicket for 67 overs, it's tough but dressing room was calm as Ajju bhai and Rahul sir kept a calm environment. They said we have to keep patience because if we get one, we will get a few more and then we can make inroads. We got the reward for our persistence in the first and second session," he concluded.

(With PTI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 27 Nov, 2021

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