Home
Axar Patel's exceptional all-round display was overshadowed by Dasun Shanaka's brilliance as Sri Lanka fought back after losing the first T20I and registered an emphatic win in the second T20I on January 05 (Thursday) in Pune. The Islanders rode on their captain's majestical night in Pune and thumped India by 16 runs. Chasing a daunting target of 207 runs, the Men in Blue clawed their way back into the game after losing early wickets after Axar and Suryakumar Yadav lit up the night sky in Pune.
The spin-bowling all-rounder delivered an impeccable spell with the ball (2/24) and then played a blistering knock of 65 runs off 31 balls with the help of three fours and six sixes. Suryakumar chipped in with 51 runs off 36 balls with the help of three fours and as many sixes. Despite the best efforts of Axar and Suryakumar, India could only manage to score 190/8 in 20 overs.
After the game, the 28-year-old all-rounder revealed what his communication was like with Suryakumar when he walked out to bat with India reeling at 57/5.
"When I went in I spoke to Surya bhai, and he told me if we will show intent we might have an outside chance. We tried to score 10-12 runs per over and wanted to take the game deep. We knew that if we couple of overs will our way , we’ll have high chances," Axar said in a video shared by BCCI on Twitter.
The left-handed batter was severe on Sri Lankan spinners as he whacked four maximums off Wanindu Hasaranga's bowling, including three on the trot to start the 14th over. The southpaw also smacked a six off Maheesh Theekshana's bowling.
Reflecting on his intent against the spinners, particularly against Hasaranga, Axar said, "I had not thought about taking on Hasranaga. I was just watching the ball and decided if it will be in my zone I will go for it."
India and Sri Lanka will play the series-deciding T20I in Rajkot on January 07 (Saturday).
