Axar Patel's Strategic Bowling Leads India to Victory Against Australia

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has demonstrated exceptional skill and strategic awareness in the recent T20 International series against Australia, solidifying his role as a key player in India’s limited-overs strategy. In the third T20I match held in Hobart, Patel's precise control over pace and angles proved crucial, effectively stifling Australia’s middle-order batting and setting the stage for India’s victory.

Just days later at the Gold Coast, Patel continued his strong performance, claiming two wickets for just 20 runs. His dismissals of Matthew Short and Josh Inglis halted the Australians' momentum in their pursuit of a target of 167 runs.

Patel’s approach, especially on Australian pitches known for their minimal spin, focuses on containment and unwavering accuracy. "As a spinner, I feel it’s important to contain the batsman on these wickets. I’m bowling wicket to wicket. There’s not much spin but I’m getting a little bit of bounce. Then, on occasions, because of the dew, the ball skids a lot," Patel explained.

This philosophy of prioritising dot balls and maintaining a consistent line is what makes him a challenging bowler to face. His effectiveness lies in his ability to bowl flat and fast, which reduces the opportunities for batsmen to attack or score boundaries.

In the Gold Coast match, both of Patel's wickets were a result of the pressure he exerted: he trapped Short in front of the stumps with a low-skidding delivery and bowled Inglis, who attempted to counter the pressure by stepping out.

Patel excels at reading the batsman and employs subtle yet effective variations in his bowling. Rather than relying on significant flight or turn, he focuses on altering pace and length, delivered with a swift arm action. "I just go out there and think what my team needs. Accordingly, I do that. My plan is also to bowl keeping in mind what is the strength of the batsman I am bowling to," he stated.

He further elaborated on his strategy: "If the batters are going to hit me down the line, then I can bowl in the middle-stump. It’s all about keeping the good length... the 5-6m length. And then if things are slipping from me, I’ll just bowl an odd full one."

A significant aspect of his game plan involves utilising the size of the boundary. In T20 cricket, the balance of risk and reward is critical, and Patel adeptly forces batsmen to aim for the longer parts of the field. "I’ve learnt from past mistakes and now try to use the size of the boundary to my advantage," he noted.

Patel's performance in the series has not only highlighted his individual skills but also reinforced India’s competitive edge in the T20 format against formidable opponents like Australia.