Ind vs Aus: Axar Patel Recalls the Conversation With Virat Kohli During Their Partnership

In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy, Axar Patel has emerged as one of India’s finest lower middle-order batters. The all-rounder has amassed 264 runs in the series becoming the third-highest run-scorer with 3 half-centuries. During the first innings of the fourth game, India was struggling with the lack of a batter as Shreyas Iyer was unavailable. After India lost Ravindra Jadeja and KS Bharat, Axar Patel walked in to bat alongside Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli was nearing his century when Axar Patel came out to bat and India was still over 100 runs behind. It was the responsibility of these two players to amass some runs. When Virat Kohli was struggling to find boundaries, not only was Axar Patel quick to run singles and doubles but also he was picking up boundaries. The all-rounder, unfortunately, couldn’t reach his century and was dismissed on 79 runs that consisted of 5 fours and 4 sixes.

I just wanted to carry forward my confidence: Axar Patel

After the end of the day’s play, Axar Patel recalled the conversation he had with Virat Kohli during their 162-run partnership. “He was only coordinating with me. The running between the wickets he showed in such heat was one of the biggest positives. I was telling him that he was not only waking up the fielders but me as well at times. He was running twos and threes,” he said. The player acknowledged that he was certainly a little disappointed missing his century.

“I just wanted to carry forward my confidence. When Virat bhai was there, he told me that nothing much was happening and that once I get adjusted to the pace of the wicket, it would become easier. In between, he was asking me to be a bit cautious and that my bat was going too far ahead and looking for big shots. So all those conversations were going on, because of which we had a good partnership,” Axar Patel further added. Earlier in the series, winning the third game Australia had already qualified for the WTC Finals but New Zealand’s victory against Sri Lanka has helped India officially qualify. Moreover, irrespective of the results of the game, India vs Australia will be the test championship finals.