This Indian team doesn’t depend on just one player – Axar Patel

 

India’s spinner Axar Patel has stated that the current Indian team doesn’t depend on any one particular player to deliver the goods and they mostly come up with a collective effort with bat as well as the ball. Patel gave the example of the current four-match Test series against England.

The likes of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran and Axar Patel himself had delivered the goods for the team. Patel, who received his chance in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja, was able to grab his opportunity with both hands.

The left-arm orthodox spinner scalped 27 wickets in three Test matches at an unbelievable average of 10.59. Patel was right on the money with his line and length and delivered his maiden Test series.

“When you have the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant in the top order and even if 2 out of the 5 batsmen get out early, you know the rest three can do the job.

“So, I think, this Indian team has that quality. It doesn’t depend on just one player. Everyone contributes equally. If openers don’t click, the middle-order performs. And if both the departments fail to score, lower-order provides the results. That’s the kind of team work and it’s our strength,” Axar was quoted as saying by India TV.

Meanwhile, India showed their class on the Australia tour despite injury woes and the absence of their full-time skipper Virat Kohli. The visitors had stunned the hosts by 2-1 and clinched the memorable series in style.

The young players like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar were able to deliver in the historic Gabba Test match.

“Our team had won the Test series in Australia when Virat wasn’t there. During the England series, Kohli got out early in a few innings but then Pant and Washington Sundar came up and performed. Rohit scored a couple of centuries as well. The spinners have also started batting down the order.

“You see how Shardul Thakur and Sundar made a partnership in Australia. And when you bat in England, you don’t chase big totals like 400 or 50. The total is around 300 or 250. So, that’s where lower-order partnerships are important,” added the 27-year-old.

India will play New Zealand in the WTC final at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.