India’s Spin All-rounder Axar Patel Register His Highest T20I Score

The Indian team went down fighting as they lost the 2^nd T20I match by 16 runs played at MCA Stadium, Pune on 5 January 2023. Indian captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to field first. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka provided a decent start for Sri Lanka putting pressure on Indian bowling. At the end of six overs, Nissanka and Mendis made 55.

Mendis looked impressive reaching fifty off 27 balls. Yuzvendra Chahal got the breakthrough by dismissing Mendis. Mendis and Nissanka added 80 runs for the opening wicket. Umran Malik rattled the stumps of Bhanuka Rajapaksa to leave Lanka in trouble. Axar Patel dismissed Nissanka with a good catch by debutant Rahul Tripathi.

Charith Asalanaka attacked the Indian bowling with a quickfire knock. The Indian team reduced Sri Lanka to 138 for 6 before Dasun Shanaka provided a shooting display of batting as Arshdeep Singh struggled with his bowling. Sri Lankan captain Shanaka hammered fifty off 20 balls along with Chamika Karanutne. Shanaka and Karaunate added unbeaten 68 runs for the 7^th wicket helping Sri Lanka post 206 for 6. Shanaka remained not out on 56 off 22 balls with 2 fours and 6 sixes.

He is dealing in SIXES @akshar2026 – 3 in a row! 💪 💪

This is turning out to be a fine knock 🙌 🙌

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/Fs33WcZ9ag #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/1zthloVmfA

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2023

Chasing 207 runs to win, it was not an ideal start for the Indian team as they wickets of Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, and Hardik Pandya. Deepak Hooda, the hero of the last match, also fell cheaply to leave India in big trouble at 57 for 5. Axar Patel came to the crease and showed intent right from the word go. He looked in sensational touch smashing Lankan bowlers all over the park.

Axar Patel took the attack to Hasranaga hitting him for 3 sixes along with Surya Kumar Yadav. The left-handed Axar completed his maiden T20I fifty off 20 balls. Madhushanka got the breakthrough dismissing Surya caught by Hasranaga at long-on. Surya and Patel added 91 runs for the 6^th wicket.

Shivam Mavi struggled initially before showing his hitting abilities against Rajitha and Madhushanka. With 20 runs required off the final over, Axar Patel could not take India home as Karaunate caught him. Axar made an attacking 65 off 31 balls with 3 fours and 6 sixes at a strike rate of 209.67.

He played a match-winning knock in the 1^st T20I along with Deepak Hooda. Patel was impressive with the ball with 2 for 24 in 4 overs.

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