Axar’s standout moment came in the ninth over of Australia’s innings when he executed a spectacular catch with his non-dominant right hand to dismiss Mitchell Marsh off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling.This pivotal catch helped India seize control of the match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia.
Reflecting on Axar’s achievement, India’s fielding coach T Dilip commended the team’s overall fielding effort, emphasizing their commitment and adaptability in challenging Caribbean conditions. “Phenomenal effort, boys. When it comes to fielding in the Caribbean, we always test our mettle… from boundary to infield, we covered every gap, but the masterpiece was the commitment for every catch that we have done,” Dilip praised, as quoted by ANI.
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He highlighted the team’s preparedness in adjusting to wind dynamics and outfield speeds, underscoring their dominance on the field. “With this kind of determination, whether adjusting to the wind or speed in the outfield, we were top-notch. Lastly, we clearly showed that we are here to dominate,” Dilip affirmed, encapsulating India’s fielding prowess.
India’s victory was bolstered by captain Rohit Sharma‘s explosive 92-run innings earlier in the match, setting a formidable total of 205-5 in their 20 overs. Despite a resilient effort from Australia’s Travis Head, who scored 76 off 43 balls, India’s bowlers, including Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Jasprit Bumrah, restricted Australia to 181-7, securing a crucial win.
This triumph propelled India into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, underscoring their strong campaign in the tournament. Axar Patel’s fielding excellence adds to India’s momentum as they prepare to face England in the semi-final showdown at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.
