Former Australian captain Aaron Finch showered praise on Axar Patel after he delivered with both bat and ball in the fourth T20I against Australia, which India won comprehensively by 48 runs at the Gold Coast on Thursday to take a 2-1 series lead, with one match to go.

Finch noted that it looked like India would get to 152-153, but Patel’s cameo of 11-ball 21 was able to propel them to a competitive total of 167 after the visitors were put into bat by Mitchell Marsh. 

The left-hander smashed a four and six and scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 190.91. Furthermore, Patel returned with impressive figures of 2-20 in his quota of four overs, accounting for Matthew Short and Josh Inglis.

Patel reaped rewards for attacking the stumps and was awarded Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

“He’s somebody who strikes a ball so cleanly, and he gave India a real injection right at the backend of the innings,” Finch told JioHotstar. 

“It looked at one stage that they might only get around that 152-153 mark. But then a couple of big blows in the last over off Marcus Stoinis just proved the package that he is. Then, when he gets the ball in hand, he’s a wizard at times. Particularly on surfaces like this, which might offer a fraction of hold at times, but also can skid through. So uses all of his tricks, all of his skills; if you combine that with his fielding, he is a serious package in international cricket. It was a wonderful performance today, a richly deserved player of the match.”

Patel has consistently delivered for India in all three formats, and he has seized his opportunities with both hands.

The fifth and final T20I of the series between Australia and India will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane, on Saturday.