India vs England 2021: Axar Patel becomes third bowler to take five-wicket hauls in first two tests for India

India vs England 2021: Axar Patel becomes third bowler to take five-wicket hauls in first two tests for India
Axar Patel celebrates a wicket

India got off to a terrific start in the third test against England as they shot them out for just 112 in the first innings. It was fashioned by a superb six-wicket-haul from Axar Patel who is only playing in his second test. What is even more remarkable is the fact that Axar had taken a fifer on his debut match as well – the second test in Chennai. He followed it up with a scintillating display of bowling.

The third test is especially crucial with regard to qualification to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). A loss for England would mean they would be out of contention for the final. India on the other hand would only need to avoid defeat in the final test if they manage to win the third test, to qualify for the final.

Axar Patel scripts history with six-wicket-haul

Axar Patel

Axar Patel’s six-wicket tally in the third test meant that he became the third Indian bowler to pick up two fifers or more in his first two tests. The other two to have done it are Narendra Hirwani and Mohammed Nissar. Axar now has an excellent chance of going on and picking up a 10-wicket-haul in the match and make a case for himself to always be in contention for a spot in the playing XI even if Ravindra Jadeja is back from his injury.

It is further noteworthy that Axar had joined a list of 5 Indian spinners who had taken a fifer on debut with his performance in the second test. The others were VV Kumar, Dilip Doshi, Narendra Hirwani, Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin.

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