Since his debut in the second Test against England in the ongoing four-match Test series, it has been only his name in the minds and on the lips of fans and experts. The 27-year old left-arm spinning all-rounder from Gujarat, Axar Patel has taken 18 wickets in the two Tests he has played.
Patel took 11 wickets in the match, becoming the first bowler in history to take two five-wicket hauls in a day-night Test match. Patel was praised by the Indian skipper Virat Kohli after the game for putting in the hard yards and for his accuracy.
"Look I don't know what's the case with Gujaratis and left-arm spinning all-rounders. They seem to be a nightmare for the batters. I think he bowled amazingly well, Axar. And, it's testimony to his hard work, his accuracy, that's exactly why we picked him. It's impossible to sweep him, it's impossible to defend him all day. If the wicket gives him anything, he's just a very lethal bowler, Kohli said during the post-match ceremony.
After the game was over, in a candid chat for BCCI, Kohli had more praises to offer for the tall spin bowler. Kohli interrupted Axar and Hardik Pandya during the running interview and shouted, "Ae Bapu thaari bowling kamaal chhe (Bapu {Axar's nickname}, your bowling was superb)."
Taking a cheeky dig at his skipper attempting the local language, Hardik said that Kohli has just learned a few words of Gujarati.
Axar and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin combined to take 18 England wickets in the two innings as the home side bowled out the visitors for scores of 112 and 81 in the third match. Even though India were bowled out for 145 in the first innings, the 33-run lead proved to be very crucial in the end as India got just a 49-run target, which they chased down in just 7.4 overs.
India now lead the series 2-1, with one game remaining, which will take place the next week at the same venue.
