Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reckons Axar Patel’s knock in the end played an extremely crucial role in India’s 41-run win against Sri Lanka in the Super Fours stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday.

India was 186-9 after Kuldeep Yadav was dismissed however Patel was able to take the team past the 200-run mark with an important contribution of 26 runs. India posted 213 runs on the board after Patel added the finishing touches and also added 27 runs with Mohammed Siraj.

The track was conducive for the spinners but Patel got some handy runs while batting down the order and delivered for the team. But Patel went wicketless in his spell of five overs and conceded 29 runs.

“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,” said Pathan.

Pathan reckons if Patel had not played that crucial knock then Dunith Wellalage, who scored an unbeaten 42, would have taken Sri Lanka close to India’s score.

“If that had not happened, Dunith Wellalage had taken his team very close to our score. So he (Axar) too had a contribution although he might be slightly disappointed with his bowling. A lot of positives, we are seeing the results of the things the Indian team is doing,” Pathan added.

There is no doubt that India has looked like the best team so far in the tournament and they are also the solitary unbeaten team in the competition.

“The Indian team has looked extremely different and extremely strong. A massive difference has been seen between the other teams and India. We saw this team respecting the conditions as well,” said Pathan.

India has ticked all the right boxes as a unit and they will look to continue the good show in the final.

India will take on Bangladesh on Friday whereas they will face either Pakistan or Sri Lanka in the summit clash of the continental tournament at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday.