WATCH: Axar Patel’s SPINBALL sends shiver down the spine of England’s Bazball as he dismisses Jonny Bairstow with strange delivery

Axar Patel's delivery to Jonny Bairstow ensured a batting collapse for the visitors, restricting them to 246.

WATCH: Axar Patel’s SPINBALL sends shiver down the spine of England’s Bazball as he dismisses Jonny Bairstow with strange delivery

Axar Patel bowls Jonny Bairstow with a ripper (Image via screengrab from BCCI)

One of Bazball’s biggest challenges coming into India was how they would tackle spin. Playing in countries where the pacers often received more support off the pitch, this was the first time they are playing in a country where spinners rule.

England has struggled against spin in their previous tour of India, where R. Ashwin and Axar Patel toyed around the batters. In 2024, things didn’t change as their woes against spin continued. Being bowled out for 246, the visitors lost eight of their wickets to Ashwin, Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. One of the highlights of the innings was Patel’s beautiful delivery to dismiss Jonny Bairstow.

YouTube video

Coming in at number five, Bairstow had built a valiant partnership with Joe Root. Before his arrival, England lost their first three wickets in a span of 24 balls. The duo managed to tackle the duo of Ashwin and Jadeja, stitching up a partnership of 61.

Unfortunately Axar Patel ended their fight back by bowling Bairstow. He bowled wide of the crease and kept his arm as wide as possible. Angling the ball to his pads, the batter attempted to block the ball. Unfortunately for him, the ball spun a mile and beat his outside edge, crashing into the off-stump. 

India’s spin trio bowl out England for 246 

Electing to bat first, England’s openers gave a great start. Zak Crawely and Ben Duckett scored 20 and 35 each. They were both dismissed by R. Ashwin. Ollie Pope was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja after he edged the ball to Rohit Sharma at slips. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow tried to rebuild the innings, but Axar Patel bowled Bairstow and Root gave catching practice to Jasprit Bumrah. 

Indian Cricket Team
Indian Cricket Team celebrates (Image via ESPN)

After Ben Foakes was dismissed, Rehan Ahmed and Ben Stokes attempted to get England back on track, but Bumrah’s off-cutter and a brilliant catch by KS Bharat got the youngster back in the dressing room. Tom Hartley, the debutant, played a small cameo of 23 runs before being bowled by Jadeja. Stokes managed to score a half-century, but it was India’s last wicket as Bumrah bowled him. 

Starting their first innings, India began their innings with a bang. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit the first ball of the innings for a boundary. He didn’t spare debutant Hartley as well, hitting the first ball of his Test career for a six. The brutal onslaught continued as hit four boundaries and another six. Jaiswal ended up scoring a half-century in just 47 balls.

In case you missed!