Axar Patel hails Suryakumar Yadav as bowlers' captain after winning 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka

Axar Patel bagged two wickets in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on July 27.

All-rounder Axar Patel praised India’s newly appointed full-time India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership. Patel called Suryakumar a “bowlers’ captain” after the Men in Blue’s comprehensive win over hosts Sri Lanka in the opening fixture of the ongoing three-match T20I series in Pallekele on July 27.

After being asked to bat first, India posted a competitive total of 213/7 in 20 overs. Skipper Suryakumar (58 from 26) and wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant (49 from 33) helped visitors cross the 200-run mark. For hosts Sri Lanka, star speedster Matheesha Pathirana bagged a four-wicket haul.

While chasing 214, Sri Lanka were in a strong position when they reached 140/1 in the first 14 overs. However, Indian bowlers made a stunning comeback in the last six overs as they bowled out the hosts for 170 runs. Men in Blue off-spinner Riyan Parag bagged a three-wicket haul.

He is a bowler’s captain: Axar Patel on Suryakumar Yadav

Indian all-rounder Axar had an ordinary day with the ball when he gave away 29 runs in his first three overs. However, he was brought back by Suryakumar to bowl the crucial 15th over of Sri Lanka’s innings.

The left-arm spinner justified his captain’s decision and picked two big wickets of set Sri Lanka batters Pathum Nissanka (79 from 48) and Kusal Perera (20 from 14) in his last over. Axar’s double-wicket over also triggered the hosts’ collapse.

After winning the first T20I match by 43 runs, India all-rounder Axar hailed India’s new full-time T20I skipper Suryakumar as a bowlers’ captain and also praised him for his calm approach and giving freedom to the bowlers.

“I know that he’s a bowler’s captain. He gives the bowlers a free hand, to decide on their fields, and then backs them up even if they are hit. He gives you inputs. As a player, I’ve a good bond with him, and I’ve enjoyed playing under his captaincy too,” Axar said in the post-match press conference.

“Even today, I didn’t feel any change in his approach, when I was hit for runs in the first three overs, he told me what the other options were, and what can be done to get wickets. He said there’s no problem if you’re hit for a four or a six. As a bowler, that gives you confidence. If your captain backs you, then you can try out other things,” Axar added.

The Suryakumar-Gautam Gambhir era in T20Is started on a winning note, and Men in Blue will look to seal the series when they face hosts Sri Lanka in the second match of the ongoing three-match T20I series on July 28 in Pallekele.

India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024: Squads of both teams for T20Is

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj.

Sri Lanka squad: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando

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