India vs England 2021: “They call me Wasim Akram” – Axar Patel reveals the nickname his teammates have given him


India vs England 2021: “They call me Wasim Akram” – Axar Patel reveals the nickname his teammates have given him
Axar Patel

Axar Patel has had a dream start to his test career. Making his debut in the second test against England in Chennai, the southpaw picked up a five-wicket-haul in the second innings to lead India to an easy victory. He then followed it up by picking up a six-wicket-haul in the first innings of the third test in Ahmedabad. If that wasn’t enough, he then came up with another fifer in the second innings to take his match tally to 11.

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The English batsmen had no clue to Axar Patel’s bowling as the Gujarat spinner kept bowling relentless lines and lengths. He had assistance from the pitch but it was persisting with perfect lines and lengths that paid rich dividends. Axar was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match as well. He was complemented by season campaigner Ravichandran Ashwin who picked up six wickets in the test and took his tally to 400 wickets.

‘I want to continue this form’ – Axar Patel

Ravi Ashwin and Axar Patel

Axar Patel spoke at the post-match presentation about his performance and expressed satisfaction saying, “When it happens, it feels so easy. I am not thinking much. I want to continue this form. I am happy that if I am not contributing with the bat, I am doing it with the ball. My strength is to bowl wicket-to-wicket and not give him room. The mindset of batters is they play out couple of maidens, they either go for a sweep or try to hit over the infield.”

He then talked of a nickname his teammates had given him after legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram. “They call me Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) because they feel my arm ball is very lethal. Ajju Bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) called me that and Pant has picked it up. I would want this wicket to remain the same for the final Test as well as I am picking up wickets,” Axar said.

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The fourth test begins on March 4.

Also Read: When was the last time a Test match ended within two days?