Axar Patel has credited Ricky Ponting, the coach of the Delhi Capitals, as well as a shift in perspective for his rapid improvement as a batter during the past 12 months. Axar has matured as a hitter over the past three months, putting out significant performances in a variety of settings. He batted with Ravichandran Ashwin on Saturday, scoring a possibly game-changing 74. (37). In order to assist India to reach 262, which was just one run shy of Australia’s first innings total, the pair had a 114-run stand for the ninth wicket.
His 84 in the first Test in Nagpur helped India get to 400 as the hosts effectively batted Australia out of the game. “At Delhi Capitals, I talked a lot with Ricky about how I can get better with my batting. Even in the Indian team, I was talking to the batters. I felt I was not realising my potential in my 30s and 40s. I was not able to finish the game. “So, it was a lot about the mindset. Sometimes you can relax as an all-rounder if you have taken wickets, you could get casual. So I thought I could improve on that and convert my 30s and 40s into match-winning scores.
“That is how I think now and that has made a big difference,” said Axar after stumps on day two of the second Test. Nathan Lyon, an Australian spinner, too gave Axar and Ashwin great marks, saying they are competent enough to bat in the top six of any international team.
“When I am bowling, we think how the batter is making things difficult for us. I use the same technique while batting. If the bowler is landing all the balls in the same area, the batters keep defending confidently. While batting, we also try to defend confidently and force him to change his tactics. Having a bowler’s mindset helps in batting as well.” With India reeling at 139 for seven, Axar and Ashwin were feeling the heat.
With the surface being easier to bat on, the left-arm spinner claimed they were confident in knitting together a significant partnership. “There was pressure as we were behind in the game. So, it was important to get as close to the Australian target as possible. When Ashwin and I got to set, we thought the wicket was getting easier to bat on and felt we could forge a long partnership. Eventually, we ended just one run behind Australia. So felt good about that. Coming from white-ball cricket, I was in good touch in Nagpur as well. I am just carrying that confidence and trying to be consistent,” said Axar, who is playing ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the team because of his superior batting abilities.
