Last Update: January 08, 2023, 08:11 AM IST
Axar Patel with Hardik Pandya (PTI Photo)
All-rounder Axar Patel has credited Hardik Pandya for his success with the bat, saying the skipper asked him to play freely and at the same time defend.
Suryakumar Yadav might have stolen the show in the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Rajkot, but there was another player who was equally impressive with his all-round performances in all the three matches. It was Akshar Patel who showed his A-game last week; He was adjudged Player of the Series only after scoring 117 runs and taking three wickets.
Axar’s best knock of the series comes to the fore in Pune face-off India Chasing a tough target of 208 runs. His 65 off just 31 balls along with Surya’s 51 looked to have steered the Indian ship to a safer shore, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. The hosts lost by 16 runs but Akshar was etched in everyone’s memory.
Read also: IND vs SL: Suryakumar Yadav surpasses KL Rahul in unique T20 record after Rajkot century
Akshar interacted with the broadcasters on Saturday after India started the year 2023 with a series win after registering a stunning 91-run win over Sri Lanka. The all-rounder credited Hardik Pandya for his success with the bat, saying the skipper asked him to play freely and at the same time play defensively.
“When my batting benefits the team (as compared to bowling) then it is a pleasure. Didn’t do anything different for this series, just the captain gave me a lot of confidence in the dugout. He tells me to play freely and says he is there to protect me,” Akshar said at the post-match presentation.
“We do a lot of planning during team meetings but sometimes things go wrong and I just focus on getting my plans right,” he added.
Captain Hardik also praised Akshar and said that he is proud of this all-rounder and his performance will give a lot of confidence to the team.
Read also: Many colors of Suryakumar Yadav captured after a brilliant century in the footage. watch
“I am really proud of him (Axar), the way he is batting down the order and hitting. This will give him and the team a lot of confidence as well. The purpose of my life as a captain has been that I will support my players.
He said, ‘He is the best T20 cricketer in India and that’s why he is here. There is no room for doubt in this format and we are backing the players in the right way. The way we played in the series was enjoyable, we didn’t even play 50 per cent of our game in the second game but still we fought well.
(with agency inputs)
get the latest cricket news, the schedule And cricket live score Here