Irfan Pathan lauded Axar Patel's effort with the bat against Sri Lanka

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Axar Patel on his contribution with the bat against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka challenged Indian team nicely in all departments during their super 4 clash at R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Though India won the game by 41 runs, Sri Lankan spinners, especially Dunith Wellalage, dominated team India throughout the game with bat and ball. India lost their ninth wicket in 186 runs, and 200 was looking like a distant dream with the kind of spin Sri Lankan spinners were getting. Axar Patel scored 27 runs for the last wicket along with Mohammed Siraj to take India above 200 and finish the inning on 213 runs.

Irfan Pathan impressed with Axar Patel

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lauded Axar Patel’s effort with the bat and said that he played an extremely crucial role in the lower order. Irfan Pathan said, "We have spoken about everyone, about bowling and fielding, but we should remember Axar Patel’s knock at the end as well because eventually he played an extremely crucial role. If that had not happened, Dunith Wellalage would have taken his team very close to our score." Axar Patel scored 26 runs in 36 balls, with only one six in his innings.

Irfan Pathan further added, "So he too had a contribution, although he might be slightly disappointed with his bowling. There are a lot of positives; we are seeing the results of things the India team is doing. " Axar Patel came into the playing XI, replacing Shardul Thakur. Team India made the change keeping the wicket in mind, as there was a huge turn and assistance for the spinners. Axar Patel went wicketless in the game, but his crucial 27-runs stand and 26-runs knock proved game changers for team India, along with Kuldeep Yadav’s 4-wickets haul.

All-rounder Axar Patel added these crucial runs along with Number 11, Mohammed Siraj. Siraj stayed at the wicket for half an hour to accompany Axar and faced 19 balls to add 5 runs as his contribution to the partnership. Axar Patel didn’t have a great day in the bowling department, as he went wicketless in his 5 overs and conceded 29 runs. Axar was bowling with a little pace, and that didn’t help his bowling. Kuldeep Yadav picked up four wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up two in the innings.