In the finished three-match T20I assignment against Sri Lanka, the brilliant Indian all-rounder Axar Patel ultimately won the player of the series. He ended the series with the third-most runs scored, after only opponent captain Dasun Shanaka and top-ranked T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav. Patel contributed to the series with the bat and the ball, scoring 117 runs in three innings at an average of 117.00, including two unbeaten innings and a half-century.
However, Axar also bowled ten overs with the ball in each of the series’ three games and claimed three wickets. Axar was given the title of “Player of the series” for his outstanding performances during the entire series. When India defeated the visitors in the series finale, he praised the replacement captain, Hardik Pandya, during the post-match presentation.
In the post-game presentation, Axar Patel claimed that the captain had given him confidence and encouraged him to “play freely. I’m here to support you.” Patel, therefore, believes that his faith is what is helping him.
However, Axar’s admiration for Hardik Pandya did not go down well with all Indian cricket fans, particularly those who favour current captain Rohit Sharma and previous captain Virat Kohli. They instantly took to Twitter to criticise Axar Patel for lavishing praise on Pandya after he allegedly misbehaved with Arshdeep Singh, a young left-arm spinner who was having a bad day at work during the second ODI against the Islanders.
“Gujarati to Gujarati”
“Well Paid Hardik Pandya”
“Do you have to do all this for a place on the team?”
“Did Kohli and Rohit say something different? All captains say the same to every player.”
Axar Patel was now participating in the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka for the men in blue. On Tuesday, January 10, both teams squared off in the series opener at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium.