While Virat Kohli's century stole the spotlight on Day 4, Axar Patel's crucial innings also helped India take a 91-run lead in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 12. The batting all-rounder added to his bulging runs in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and chipped in with 79 runs off 113 balls, with 5 fours and 4 sixes to his name.
After the end of Day's play, Axar emphasised that his batting role is not set but he is happy with his own performance. "I am feeling good to have contributed with the bat. I've had the confidence to go after ones that I can hit, the talk in the 1st Test is what I'm following and I'm gaining a bit of information about my ability with the bat. I had no set role (when asked if he was told to score quickly), just wanted to make as many runs as possible, bat along with the ball not doing a lot," said Axar.
Kohli and Axar notched up a 162-run partnership, off just 215 balls, with Kohli playing the anchor role and Axar the Aggressor. After setting himself in the match, the 29-year-old admitted that the Ahmedabad wicket is an easy track to bat on, given that he is set to bowl on what is the final day of the Test series.
"One you're set, it's easier to bat, the odd ball is turning and staying low, it's slightly difficult when you're new to the crease, but once you adjust, it's still easy to bat on this wicket," he added.
Axar might have ridden on his luck too much, as he was eventually bowled by Mitchell Starc to give them their fifth wicket.
He was the last of the recognised batters to shine for India, sans Kohli. Ravichandran Ashwin scored seven off 12 but was dismissed by Lyon after a rash shot and fell straight to Kuhnemann. Umesh Yadav was sent back for a diamond duck after he was run out while attempting to take a second run on the advice of Kohli. Eventually, Kohli was unable to reach his 200 after being dismissed for 186 runs off 364 balls.
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