India clinched a convincing six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The Indian team adeptly chased down the target of 173 runs in 15.4 overs, losing only four wickets along the way. This win secured India's dominance in the three-match T20 series, marking their second straight triumph.
The match began with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma winning the toss and inviting Afghanistan to bat first. However, Afghanistan's innings was restrained to 172 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in their 20 overs, largely due to Axar Patel's tight bowling spell. Axar claimed two vital wickets while conceding only 17 runs in his four overs, earning him the Player of the Match award. This achievement marked Axar's third such accolade in his last four T20I appearances, underlining his crucial role in the team.
Axar's performance in this match was a milestone moment, as he reached 200 wickets in T20 matches, becoming the 11th Indian bowler to achieve this feat in the shortest format of the game. He joined Ravindra Jadeja in this exclusive group, becoming only the second Indian cricketer to have amassed over 2000 runs and 200 wickets in T20 cricket. Jadeja leads this elite list.
"Feels good, I just realised that I have got 200 T20 wickets. But what is important to keep doing well for India, honestly a few years later I won't remember how many wickets I took," Axar told the host broadcaster after the Indore T20I.
In his T20 career spanning 234 matches, Axar has amassed 2545 runs and taken 200 wickets. Jadeja, in comparison, has scored 3382 runs and taken 216 wickets in 310 T20 matches. Both players have represented various teams in the T20 format, including domestic and international sides, with Jadeja having played for teams like Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Lions, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rajasthan Royals, and Saurashtra, while Axar has represented Delhi Capitals, Gujarat, India, and Kings XI Punjab.
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