Team India captain Rohit Sharma showered praise on all-rounder Axar Patel, whose pyrotechnics in the second ODI against West Indies helped the team wrap up the series. The Men in Blue rode on to Axar’s unbeaten 64 off 35 balls to chase down 312 runs on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.
Chasing 312, Shubman Gill once again got India off to a flying start. He eased his way to 43, hitting five boundaries and looked in complete control of his knock. But West Indies bounced back, reducing India to 79/3 in the 19th over.
However, a 99-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson brought the visitors back in the contest before Axar Patel took the Men in Blue home with a superlative counterattack.
Rohit Sharma, who was rested from the three-match ODI series, lauded Axar. Taking to microblogging website Twitter, Rohit wrote, “Woah that was some performance from team India last night. Bapu badhu Saru che @akshar2026 @bcci.”
Woah 🤯 that was some performance from team India last night. Bapu badhu Saru che @akshar2026 @bcci
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 25, 2022
Axar Patel replied to Rohit Sharma’s congratulatory message. He thanked Rohit for being a constant support. Axar wrote, “Badhu saru che rohit bhai. thanks.. cheers.”
Badhu saru che rohit bhai 😎 thanks.. cheers 🤝 https://t.co/tzxRzLXy4L
— Akshar Patel (@akshar2026) July 25, 2022
“Needed to remain calm and keep the intensity up” – Axar Patel
The Gujarat-born Axar was happy to make a contribution in India’s victory. He also credited IPL for helping Indian cricketers get accustomed to pressure situations. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Axar said:
“I think this is a special one. It came at a crucial time and also helped the team to win the series. We have done the same in the IPL. We just needed to remain calm and keep the intensity up. I was playing an ODI after close to 5 years. I would want to continue performing like this for my team.”
The third and final game of the series is scheduled to take place on July 27 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.
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