'A Few Years Later, I Won't Remember How Many Wickets I Took': Axar Patel After Reaching Big Milestone

Another day, another victory for the Men in Blue as they cruised to a smooth six-wicket victory against Afghanistan today. And the main man in action was none other than all-rounder Axar Patel, who put up a Player of the Match-worthy performance, as he crossed a huge milestone for his contribution with the ball.

Axar was clinical with the ball yet again for India. The off-spinner, who starred in the first match with figures of 2/23 in the first T20I, picked the important wickets of captain Ibrahim Zadran (8) and Gulbadin Naib (57 off 35), Afghanistan’s top-scorer in the match.

With his scalp of the dangerous Gulbadin, Axar registered his milestone 200th T20 wicket of his career, reaching the landmark in 234 matches. With his brilliant spell of 2/17 in 4 overs today, he took his tally in T20 internationals to 49 wickets in 52 matches for India as well.

“Feels good, I just realised that I have got 200 T20 wickets. But what is important to keep doing well for India, honestly a few years later I won’t remember how many wickets I took. I have been trying to bowl a bit slower, vary my lengths and now I have been to gauge these things better. Now I have the confidence to bowl at all times, even in the powerplay,” said an elated Player of the Match Axar Patel after the match against Afghanistan.

He now becomes the 11th Indian bowler to complete 200 wickets in the shortest format of the game.

Most Wickets in T20s by Indians

1. Yuzvendra Chahal – 336 in 290 matches

2. Piyush Chawla – 302 in 284 matches

3. R Ashwin – 301 in 309 matches

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 288 in 270 matches

5. Amit Mishra – 284 in 258 matches

6. Jasprit Bumrah – 260 in 212 matches

7. Harbhajan Singh – 235 in 268 matches

8. Jaydev Unadkat – 218 in 180 matches

9. Ravindra Jadeja – 216 in 310 matches

10. Harshal Patel – 209 in 178 matches

11. Axar Patel – 200 in 234 matches

Axar also attributed a shift in mindset when it came to bowling in the shortest format, which he believes has helped him be more clinical for his team when needed the most.

“You need to be mentally prepared as a bowler in T20 cricket. Ready to concede a six because that same ball could get you a wicket on another day. Earlier, I used to vary my plans if a batter was hitting me, but now I stick to my plans and make the batters take the chance against me,” said Axar.

Well, it ultimately paid off as India kept Afghanistan to 172 runs and a fiery blitzkrieg from the pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, who put up fifties each, helped them chased down the target with ease to secure the victory.