Axar Patel Reveals Why Rishabh Pant Called Him "Wasim Bhai" From Behind The Stumps

Indian spinner Axar Patel was the star of India’s 10-wicket win over England in the third Test of the four-match series which was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad. The match was dominated by spinners from both sides and even saw England captain Joe Root creating a special milestone with the ball.

While England won the toss and batted first, Joe Root’s men failed with the bat in both innings, as they were bowled out for 112 and 81, with only Zak Crawley making a half-century for the visitors, while Jonny Bairstow who flew in from the UK, made a pair in both the innings.

For India, it was Rohit Sharma, who shined with the bat as he made 66 in the first innings, helping India to 145. Joe Root had rolled his arm over and picked 5/8, his maiden fifer in Tests, while Jack Leach picked four wickets as well. India managed a mere 33-run lead, which gave England hopes of a comeback.

But it was not to be as Axar Patel and Ravi Ashwin decimated them in the second innings, bowling them out for 81 runs, their lowest total in Tests against India. Axar Patel, in fact, finished with figures of 6/38 and 5/32 in the match, to add to his fifer in the second Test in Chennai. Ravi Ashwin carried his terrific bowling form in this match as well, picking 7 wickets in total.

India won the match by 10 wickets chasing down the 49-run total with ease.

Ajinkya Rahane And Rishabh Pant Call Me Wasim Bhai Because Of My Lethal Arm Ball: Axar Patel

However, Axar Patel during his interview in the post-match presentation revealed an interesting piece of tidbit about him. Presentator Murali Kartik asked him why Rishabh Pant was calling him ‘Wasim bhai, Wasim bhai’ from behind the stumps when he was bowling in the match.

To this Axar replied that it was in fact Ajinkya Rahane who came up with this name, and Rishabh Pant just made it famous.

“They call me Wasim bhai (Wasim Akram) because they feel my arm ball is very lethal. Ajju Bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) called me that and Pant has picked it up. I would want this wicket to remain the same for the final Test as well as I am picking up wickets,” said Axar.

Axar will most probably feature in the fourth and final Test match between India and England which will also be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Also Read: I Have Never Experienced This Before: Virat Kohli After Team India’s Win In The Shortest Test Match Since World War II