Axar Patel’s heroic 86 runs, including a crucial 84-run ninth-wicket partnership with Arshdeep Singh, prevented India D’s Duleep Trophy fixture against India C from becoming a one-sided affair. The match, played at the Rural Trust Development Stadium, saw India D teetering on the brink of a collapse after a poor start. However, Axar’s aggressive batting sparked a revival, pulling the audience back from a post-lunch snooze with a flurry of boundaries and sixes.
Axar’s onslaught was particularly evident against the spinners, Manav Suthar and Hrithik Shokeen. He unleashed two successive sixes over long-on and long-off off Shokeen, displaying his power hitting. Axar’s dominance extended to the pace bowlers as well, as he lofted Himanshu Chauhan for two boundaries off consecutive deliveries.
Arshdeep Singh, too, played his part in the recovery, adding a quick six runs with a pull shot off Himanshu. However, the partnership was broken when Vyshak Vijayakumar introduced short-pitched bowling, leading to Arshdeep’s dismissal.
Despite Axar’s valiant efforts and reaching 14 runs away from a second First-Class century, India D’s innings came to an end at 164 when Axar miscued a slog sweep off Shokeen.
India C, in response, reached 91 for four at stumps, with an unbeaten 58-run fifth-wicket partnership between Abishek Porel and Baba Indrajith. Despite this, the twin strikes from Harshit Rana and Axar kept India D in the contest, considering their early batting implosion.
India D’s struggles began from the outset when they were inserted to bat in overcast conditions. Shreyas Iyer’s side lost five wickets within the first 11 overs, putting them on the back foot. Vyshak Vijaykumar exploited the early movement and dismissed Shreyas Iyer, Devdutt Padikkal, and Ricky Bhui.
Axar and KS Bharat attempted to steady the ship but were forced to drop anchor after Bharat was dismissed by Suthar, followed by the run out of Saransh Jain due to a mix-up with Axar.
However, Axar’s later heroics, rescuing India D from a near-defeat, underlined his importance to the team. His aggressive batting and crucial partnerships played a pivotal role in keeping India D in the game, ensuring the match remained competitive.
