Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, representing Team India, emphasized that he isn’t currently focused on securing his spot in the T20 World Cup squad. He believes it’s premature to contemplate such matters, given that the ICC event is several months away.
In the recent T20I against Afghanistan, Axar showcased his prowess, taking 2/23 in four overs, contributing significantly to India’s success in restricting Afghanistan to 158/5 after winning the toss and opting to bowl in Mohali on January 11.
The Men in Blue are concluding their T20I commitments with a three-match series against Afghanistan, serving as the final series before the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies scheduled for June. Before the global event, the players will participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In a post-match conference following India’s six-wicket victory in Mohali, Axar mentioned that he’s not considering the competition for spots with the T20 World Cup in mind, emphasizing a focus on the present.
“There is competition, but it depends on how you take it. It is important to focus on the process. You can’t think about the T20 World Cup from now since there are five Tests against England, followed by the IPL. So, there’s some time left for the T20 World Cup,” Axar was quoted as saying by The Sportstar.
Following the series against Afghanistan, India is set to engage in five Tests against England, followed by the IPL. When questioned about managing workload, the left-arm spinner emphasized the significance of maintaining the right mindset.
“Playing continuously has its challenges, but we do get breaks. Mindset is the key, and you cannot be too conscious,” he said.
Axar Patel dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah in the first T20I, causing Afghanistan to face adversity. Additionally, pacer Mukesh Kumar contributed with figures of 2/33.
“There’s not much a bowler can achieve on this pitch”- Axar Patel
Reviewing his notable display in the Mohali T20I, Axar acknowledged that the pitch didn’t offer much support, and he conceded that the cold conditions added to the challenge. Despite the challenging conditions, he said that sticking to his usual bowling techniques helped him do well.
“There was no help from the pitch, the weather was also very harsh. My aim was to stick to my strength and wait for the batters to go after me. I bowled a tight line and got the wickets as the batters took a chance. As a bowler, you can’t do much on this pitch,” the left-arm spinner commented.
India successfully chased the target of 159 in the Mohali T20I, reaching it in 17.3 overs, with Shivam Dube playing a standout role, scoring an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls.
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