Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Axar Patel’s match-winning spell against England after India’s 68-run win in the second semifinal in the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday. Patel returned with impressive figures of 3-23 in his quota of four overs to help India skittle out England for a meager score of 103 after the Men in Blue posted a par score of 171 runs on the board.
The left-arm orthodox spinner accounted for England skipper Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Moeen Ali. Buttler had got off to a brisk start as he scored 23 runs from 15 balls but Patel was able to dismiss him on the first ball he bowled.
Chopra feels Axar Patel is underrated and his impressive performances often go under the radar.
“Axar Patel was the Player of the Match. He is an incredible guy. I am crying and screaming from the Pakistan match that he is not getting the attention, importance and acknowledgment that he deserves. He is the Player of the Match but no one will talk about him tomorrow. However, Bapu’s performance has been absolutely outstanding,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator feels only England skipper Jos Buttler could have taken his team over the line in the run-chase of 172 but it was one-way traffic after he got out.
“In my opinion, 171 was too far away. You needed magical stuff to reach that total and only one batter was capable of that magic and his name is Jos Buttler. He started well and had hit in the first three overs but who came then? Bapu sehat ke liye tu toh haanikaarak hai,” Chopra stated.
“He got Buttler out off the first ball of his first over. I had even tweeted that Axar should be brought. He came and picked up a wicket and then the wickets kept falling. Bumrah hit Salt’s stumps and then Jonny Bairstow came and went because he also couldn’t play Axar Patel,” he observed.
Kuldeep Yadav also bowled a fine spell as he returned with impressive figures of 3-19 in his quota of four overs. Chopra highlighted that none of the English batters could show much fight while chasing.
“This Bapu is not those ‘Ahimsa paramo dharma’ (non-violence is the highest moral virtue). His photo will come on the note now. Moeen Ali ran down the pitch and got himself out. Sam Curran got out and took a review with him. Kuldeep Yadav got him out. Harry Brook batted for a little while. He was looking good but for how long could he have batted? He couldn’t have done anything and he too got out,” he said in the same video.
“Liam Livingstone stood for some time and then he got run out. The ball hit Harry Brook’s stumps when he was trying to play a reverse sweep. Kuldeep Yadav picked up three wickets and Axar Patel also took three wickets. Jasprit Bumrah took two and the Indian team won by 68 runs,” Chopra observed.
India will take on South Africa in the all-important final at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.
