Indian all-rounder Axar Patel feels it was a tailor-made wicket for him after six-run win against Australia in the final T20I at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday. Patel came up with an all-round performance and thus was awarded Player of the Match.
The left-hander scored a vital knock of 31 runs off just 21 balls with the help of two fours and one six to help India post 160 runs on the board. Patel also added a crucial alliance of 46 runs with Shreyas Iyer.
Subsequently, the left-arm orthodox spinner returned with impressive figures of 1-14 in his quota of four overs. Patel got the big wicket of Tim David and bowled with an impressive economy rate of 3.50 in his fine spell. Patel took a total of six wickets in five matches of the series.
Axar Patel said in the post-match presentation, “Today was fun. There was dew in the first four matches. Today, it was a tailor-made wicket for me. After a couple of games, I was able to find my rhythm. (Bowling with Ravi Bishnoi) We played a few games together for Gujarat as well. We complement each other, hope this partnership grows.”
On the other hand, Ravi Bishnoi was awarded the Player of the Series for his fine bowling performance. The leg-spinner scalped nine wickets in the five matches of the series and ended as the leading wicket-taker of the series. Bishnoi returned with figures of 2-29 in his quota of four overs in the fifth T20I.
Bishnoi said after the game, “The first match, I didn’t bowl. I just focused on my execution. My plan is simple – bowl stump-to-stump. (On South Africa series) Different wicket, different challenge, will try to adapt as quickly as I can.”
Bishnoi has been added to the T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and he will look to continue the good show.
The first T20I between India and South Africa will be played at Kingsmead, Durban on 10th December.