Focused: Axar, who shone with the ball within the first T20I, says course of is necessary.
| Photo Credit: R.V. MOORTHY
Axar Patel is first amongst equals when it comes to discovering a substitute for an unavailable Ravindra Jadeja in white-ball cricket.
This left-handed all-rounder began off on the proper foot within the three-match T20 opener right here towards Afghanistan, bowling 4 tight overs for two wickets.
In chilly circumstances removed from conducive for spinners, Axar was on the right track and proved instrumental in Afghanistan slipping from an assured 50 for no loss to 57 for three on the half-way stage.
“There was no help from the pitch, the weather was also very harsh. My aim was to stick to my strength and wait for the batters to go after me. I bowled a tight line and got the wickets as the batters took a chance,”mentioned Axar within the post-match press convention reflecting on his bowling efficiency that minimize quick the innings of Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the skilled Rahmat Shah.
Returning to motion after a quadriceps pressure suffered in Asia Cup, Axar spoke about his contemporary method. “I am not thinking about the economy anymore. My mindset is to attack more. I focus more on taking wickets than bowling economically.”
The injury-induced lay-off additionally helped him work on his skill-sets. “My mindset during the rehab was to ensure how I could improve my game. At the NCA, I worked a lot on my bowling. I have worked consciously to add 5 to 10% to my bowling.”
When requested about how he seemed on the prospects of choice to the crew for the World Cup in June, Axar sounded pragmatic. “There is competition, but it depends on how you take it. It is important to focus on the process. You can’t think about the T20 World Cup from now since there are five Tests against England, followed by the IPL. So, there’s some time left for the T20 World Cup.”
