Following his team’s 91-run win over Sri Lanka in Tuesday’s T20I, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel says he feels happier when his team benefits from the way the ball hits the ball. His team and captain Hardik Pandya gave him the confidence to play freestyle. Suryakumar Yadav’s 112 knockout combined with the clinical performance of the pitchers helped India win 91 games against Sri Lanka in the third T20I and also the final to win. in a three-game series 2-1 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday.
“Feels happier when the whole team benefits from my shots (compared to bowling). There’s been no difference for this series, just being the captain gave me a lot of confidence in being able to play. He told me to play free and told me he was there to protect me We make a lot of plans in team meetings but sometimes things don’t go as planned and I just focus on executing his plan,” Axar said in a post-match presentation.
Axar Patel walked away with the ‘Man of the Series’ award for his all-out efforts. He scored 117 runs in three innings with an average of 117.00 and a strike rate of 195.00. This also includes a fight-down in 65 runs in the second T20I in a losing condition. He has provided important cameos for his team in every game with his willow.
He also has three goals in three games with an average rate of 24.66 and an economy rate of 7.40.
With this, India overcame the three-match T20I series with a score of 2-1.
India won the pitch and was selected to hit the stick first. After Men in Blue lost to Ishan Kishan (1) early, a quick appearance by Rahul Tripathi brought momentum to the rounds. He scored 35 points from just 16 balls, with five touchdowns and two sixs. Shubman Gill is the anchor throughout.
After Rahul was sacked, India crossed the 50-point mark in their play of strength. Suryakumar Yadav continued his fiery form, beating the Lankan pitchers left and right. Gill was disqualified for 46 of 36 balls, finishing 111 sprints in just 53 balls.
Suryakumar brought in his third ton of T20I from just 45 balls and finished the half 112* on 51 balls, with seven fours and nine sixs. Axar Patel (21*) also contributed a great cameo to make India 228/5 in their 20 rounds.
Dilshan Madushanka (2/55) is the pitcher of choice for visitors. Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha each get one racket.
Chasing 229, openers Kusal Mendis (23) and Pathum Nissanka (15) provided a good start for the visitors and they scored 44 in 4.5 rounds before Axar caught a Kusal trap.
After this layoff, Lanka couldn’t get back into the game and kept losing. Only Dhananjay de Silva (22) and captain Dasun Shanaka (23) have crossed the 20-time mark.
Lanka was eliminated with just 137 runs in 16.4 rounds. Arshdeep Singh (March 20) impressed with the ball after a day off in the 2nd T20I. Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal and Umran Malik each took two while Axar took one.
Suryakumar was rated as ‘Man of the Match’ for his match win.
The three-match ODI series between the two sides will begin on January 10.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from an aggregated feed.)
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