On Sunday, January 14, Axar Patel hit a milestone. The all-rounder for Team India snagged his 200th T20 cricket wicket. It happened during the second T20I against Afghanistan. The game was at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. He led with his strong left arm, getting 2/17 in four overs. This achievement helped him earn the Player of the Match title and contributed to India’s victory by six wickets.
Axar Patel initially dismissed Afghanistan’s leader, Ibrahim Zadran, who earned 8. Following that, he halted Gulbadin Naib’s astounding 57-run achievement from 35 balls. This was Axar’s 200th dismissal in T20 cricket, an important milestone. In his 234 T20 games so far, he has 200 dismissals to his name. His average is a respectable 27.95. His economic rate stands at 6.97 with a personal best of 4/21.
In addition to amassing 200 wickets, Axar Patel has contributed 2,545 runs in T20 cricket. His average run score is 22.52, and he has a strike rate of 134.65. His highest score is 70. Axar is the second Indian after Ravindra Jadeja to join the 200-wicket and 2,000-run club in T20s.
In the T20 cricket world, Ravindra Jadeja, player 305, has participated in 310 games. He’s achieved 216 wickets with an average score of 29.87, and an economy rate of 7.57. His top score was 5/16. Additionally, he’s batted 3,382 runs with an average score of 25.42 and a strike rate of 129.33. He’s made two half-centuries, and his top run was a whopping 62*.
Axar Patel’s economical 2/17 helps India restrict Afghanistan to 172 in 2nd T20I
In the second T20I against Afghanistan, Axar Patel emerged as India’s top bowler. He pocketed two wickets during his four overs, and only allowed a minimal 17 runs. Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm speedster, also grabbed 3/32. Ravi Bishnoi contributed by adding 2/39 to his tally. India ultimately limited Afghanistan’s score to 172.
The Men in Blue swiftly reached their goal in 15.4 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out with a swift 68 runs from 34 balls, while Shivam Dube tallied 63 runs from 32 balls, remaining undefeated.
Post-match, Axar, honored as Player of the Match, modestly brushed off his 200 T20 wicket milestone. His sole aim is to continue delivering his best for the country.
“Feels good, I just realized 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. I have been trying to bowl a bit slower, vary my lengths and now I have been to gauge these things better. Now I have the confidence to bowl at all times, even in the powerplay.”
Axar Patel
India and Afghanistan will face off in the third T20I at Bengaluru’s M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. It’s happening this coming Wednesday, January 17.
