The second ODI between India and West Indies on Sunday, July 24 at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad was yet another thrilling affair. India secured a final over victory by two wickets, on the back of Axar Patel’s brilliant knock. The bowling all-rounder kept his cool under pressure situation to power India to an emphatic win over West Indies. The visitors now have an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three-match ODI series.
Axar Patel walked out to bat when India was 205 for five down with both the set batters back in the hut. The wickets kept trembling from one end, but the bowling all-rounder kept his calm and played some great shots. Axar ensured that he stayed till the end of the match and steer India to victory. Needing six from three deliveries, Axar slammed a thumping six over-long on to take India home.
.@akshar2026 slammed a stunning 6⃣4⃣* off just 3⃣5⃣ balls & was our top performer from the second innings of the second #WIvIND ODI. 👌 👌 #TeamIndia
Here's a summary of his knock 👇 pic.twitter.com/eH2XKgqQ27
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2022
Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson also made valuable contributions to the Indian total. Shreyas scored 63 runs off 71 deliveries, while Sanju slammed a 51-ball 54. However, Axar Patel took the limelight with his 64-run knock off just 35 deliveries, including three boundaries and five sixes. He also won the Player of the Match award.
Let’s take a look at how the fans reacted to Axar Patel’s brilliant knock:
Axar Patel’s knock was one of the finest knocks that you’d see in a run-chase. The clarity of thought. The confidence with which he managed the chase…’incredible’ is falling short to define it. Brilliant, Bapu 😊😊
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 24, 2022
Oh Bapu quality che quality well played @akshar2026 top class batting in the run chase. Good hands from @ShreyasIyer15 @IamSanjuSamson @HoodaOnFire @ShubmanGill #IndvsWI
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 24, 2022
Man that’s got to hurt players and fans. Still work to be done on death bowling and batting tempo. But little improvements happening. Good pitches. Congrats to India on a series win and Axar Patel for a brilliant knock✊🏽.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) July 24, 2022
In close games, Siraj and Axar have delivered wins; Samson and Hooda have played good hands in unfamiliar roles; Shreyas is making himself difficult to leave out; Gill has made a case. And Shikhar just owns this format.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 25, 2022
This is a victory of self belief! Boys are now graduating. Well done #TeamIndia on winning the series. #WIvIND #FanCode #CricketTwitter
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) July 24, 2022
Babu Thhari Batting Kamal Chhe!
You all see how Axar Patel brought a smile to the faces of Indians by helping India win by 2 wickets, it was a nail-biting match. Feel bad for West Indies but the game keeps on winning and losing.#AxarPatel #sanjusamson #INDvWI #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/81lgUV8BnJ
— Vishwajeet Jaykar (@Vishwajaykar) July 25, 2022
Axar Patel showcased his ability as an all-rounder. Quality finish. Him & Hooda were effective on this pitch & played crucial innings. Fine knocks from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson & Gill too. Stellar effort to chase 312. Tough luck, West Indies
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) July 25, 2022
Axar's best batting form prior to this came in 2019, incidentally in the Caribbean while playing for India A. Came close to scoring a hundred iirc and played a stunning knock much like this one. Talk about a poetic circle eh? #WIvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) July 25, 2022
Axar Patel brilliance! And what a way to finish the game! Another edge of your seat ending! Thrilling stuff. #WIvIND
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 24, 2022
An innings for ages for Axar Patel. What a game. People saying ODI cricket is dead are just dead inside.
— Navleen Kaur (@NavleenSpeaks) July 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/dreamerupsc/status/1551402034418438144?s=20&t=oVbvH4UOMlXm3it6fOBH0Q
This is a special one as it came at a crucial time: Axar Patel
Axar Patel’s incredible knock to win the match for India earned praise from former cricketers and fans. The Indian cricketer termed the knock as a “special one”, as it came at a crucial time for the Indian team. He expressed that he wants to continue his form for the Indian team in the upcoming matches. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Axar Patel 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.”
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