Axar Patel Commends Chakaravarthy's Mental Fortitude After 5-Wicket Achievement Against New Zealand

Synopsis

In a thrilling encounter, Axar Patel praised Varun Chakaravarthy for his exceptional five-wicket haul in the ODIs against New Zealand. The spinner's strategic prowess and mental skills were highlighted as key factors in India's victory during the Champions Trophy Group A match.

Key Takeaways

Varun Chakaravarthy achieved his first five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Axar Patel emphasized the difficulty of reading Chakaravarthy's bowling.
India set a competitive total of 249/9 against New Zealand.
Chakaravarthy's performance led to New Zealand's collapse at 205.
Axar's batting strategy has evolved with his role in the team.

Dubai, March 3 (NationPress) Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel heaped accolades on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy following his first five-wicket haul in ODIs during India's 44-run victory over New Zealand in the final Champions Trophy Group A match held in Dubai. He noted that it is truly challenging to decipher the spinner's tactics, emphasizing that a batter's failure to read his googly significantly increases the likelihood of losing a wicket.

The bowlers from New Zealand performed admirably in limiting India's batting efforts, with Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45) leading the charge as the Asian squad set a competitive target of 249/9 after batting first.

In response, it was Chakaravarthy's moment to shine, as he secured the dismissals of opener Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, concluding with figures of 5-42, helping India bowl out the Black Caps for 205.

Prior to the Champions Trophy, Chakaravarthy participated in five T20Is and one ODI against England, where he concluded the T20I series with 14 wickets, including a five-wicket haul. However, he managed only a single wicket during his debut ODI.

“The credit goes to him. The T20 WC (2021) experience was tough for him. Yet, he has bounced back and his mental fortitude demonstrates how prepared he is. I believe he is successfully translating his T20 performance to ODIs,” Axar remarked to reporters in the ICC mixed zone.

“It is incredibly difficult to read his hand. The pace at which he bowls adds to the challenge. Thus, if a batter misreads (the line), the likelihood of being dismissed increases significantly. He is also fast in the air,” he elaborated.

Batting first, India made a commendable recovery, reaching 249/9, aided by a five-wicket haul from Matt Henry. Both openers—Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma—were dismissed within the first six overs, and the removal of Virat Kohli left them struggling at 30/3 in the seventh over.

Subsequently, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer formed a crucial 98-run partnership off 136 balls for the fourth wicket, with Hardik's quick-fire innings propelling India to a respectable score.

Discussing his promotion to the No. 5 spot in the batting order, Axar stated, “When I am given a chance, I adapt my batting based on the situation. However, my approach has evolved. Previously, I would enter the game needing to score quickly. Now, I understand there are more batsmen behind me, allowing me to play strategically.”

“I realize I have ample time. My approach also depends on team needs, and if I feel the need to take on the spinner, I adjust my play accordingly, as I did during my 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer in this match against NZ, contributing to a solid total,” he added.

In the series against England, the all-rounder scored a half-century in the ODI played in Nagpur and followed it up with an unbeaten 41 in the subsequent match in Cuttack.