Axar Patel is having a gala time in his short Test career so far. After picking up a five-wicket haul in his Test debut in Chennai, he bounced back with a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the third Test in Ahmedabad. The two Indian spinners shared nine wickets as England were bowled out for 112 in their first innings. Axar is being seen as an ideal replacement for Ravindra Jadeja who has been ruled out of the series.

He has already picked four wickets in the second innings and with England five down. Axar has 10 for the match. Meanwhile, after his spell in the first innings, Sunil Gavaskar spoke to Star Sports on the reason behind Axar’s success in this Test match.

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“He [Axar] recognised the fact that the odd ball is turning which is creating a doubt in the batsman’s mind. So, he just kept bowling the same line and same length. So, that’s the best part of his bowling. He knows that this is his strength and he bowls to his strength,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Axar Patel Wil Improve With Experience: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar believes that with experience, Axar Patel will develop variations in his bowling but as of now, the left-arm off-spinner needs to back his strength.

“With experience, with more Test matches that he plays, he will obviously add a little more variety. Right now, at his second Test, his strength is his accuracy and that is what he needs to keep doing,” Gavaskar further said.

Axar Patel has already picked up 17 wickets in his first two Tests and sits on second place in the list of highest wicket-takers in the series as of now.

Either of the two teams needs to win the series for a place in the World Test Championship finals. New Zealand have already reached the finals of the WTC to be played at Lord’s in June later this year.

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