Axar and skipper Dhawan credit ‘IPL experience’ after ODI series win against WI
All-rounder Axar Patel said he used the experience he gained from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to secure his maiden fity in one-day internationals that gave India a series-clinching victory in the second match against West Indies on Sunday.
Chasing 312 to go 2-0 up in the three-match series, India needed 100 runs from the last 10 overs with five wickets in hand.
Patel smashed 64 not out off 35 balls, his fith sixth sealing India’s thrilling victory with two balls to spare.
“It’s very special. It came at a crucial time and also helped the team to win the series,” the 28-year-old said ater collecting the manof-the-match award.
“When I went out, I aimed for 10-11 an over. We thought it could be done because of our IPL experience.
“We just needed to remain calm and keep the intensity up. This is my first ODI (series) after nearly five years. I would want to continue performing like this for my team.”
For the hosts, Shai Hope smashed 115 in his 100th ODI and captain Nicholas Pooran contributed 74 but it was not enough in the end.
Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson also scored half-centuries for India but the day belonged to Patel, who also claimed a wicket with his let-arm spin.
Shikhar Dhawan, leading a depleted India side in absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, said the IPL experience had prepared them for such high-scoring chases.
“Our domestic and IPL cricket keep us ready ... As Axar said, he’s done it multiple times in IPL .”
The teams meet again for the third and final ODI on Wednesday, which will be followed by a five-match T20 series.
Shikhar lauded Patel’s fine innings that saw him score his runs off just 35 balls, embellished with five sixes and three boundaries.
“I feel it was a great team performance. We made mistakes, we took the challenge and we had self-belief.
“I was also surprised (with the way the batters reached the target). Hats off to our middle order. All the baters were amazing, Axar and Avesh, who got those boundaries, were amazing,” said Shikhar.
“Our domestic and IPL cricket keeps us ready as we play in front of big crowds. As Axar said, he’s done it multiple times in IPL. That brings a big stage. At the halfway stage, we felt we
Chasing 312 t o go 2-0 up in t he t hr ee-mat ch ser ies, India needed 100 r uns fr om t he last 10 over s wit h five wicket s in hand. Pat el smashed 64 not out off 35 balls, his fith sixt h sealing India’s t hr illing vict or y wit h t wo balls t o spar e
pulled them. We got a couple of wickets, then (Shai) Hope and (Nicholas) Pooran took off. We thought we can do it if they can.”
Captain Pooran rued the inability of his team to keep India quiet in the final few overs of the match.
“We lost it in the last overs, Axar played well and we didn’t hold our nerves. We could not keep things down in the last five overs. We felt that it got easier to hit spinners.
“We gambled with Akeal bowling against let-handers. One wicket would have opened up things but Axar played brilliantly.”
Pooran had special praise reserved for his deputy, opener Hope, who became the fourth West Indian and 10th bater overall to score a century in his 100th ODI.
“Hope’s innings was impressive in his 100th ODI, he was exceptional to get a hundred. It was exceptional as a bating group. We tried to compete really hard. We want to win prety bad in the next game. That’s all we are aiming for,” added the let-handed bater.
Agencies