Axar Patel's Arm-Ball Is A Left-Arm Spinner's Weapon, Says Former Motera Pitch Curator Dhiraj Parsana

Former India player and a now-retired pitch curator, Dhiraj Parsana speak about how Axar Patel’s arm-ball is such a dangerous threat for the batsman, especially on Indian pitches. Axar Patel registered the third consecutive five-wicket haul of his two-match Test career and helped India defeat England and take a lead in the series at the Motera in the day-night Test.

Parsana, who played 2 Tests and 93 first-class games, lavished praise on Patel’s ability to bowl the arm balls, one which goes straight with the angle instead of turning, as displayed in the last couple of Tests. He says that since the straighter balls are quicker, it gives the batsman less time to judge the line and length making him a candidate for bowled and lbw.

“There are not many bowlers, who can bowl straight balls on a turning track like him. The arm ball, that he bowls so well, is a left-arm spinner’s weapon. When you bowl an arm-ball you make the batsman play on the back-foot. It comes all of a sudden. So he has a great chance of getting bowled or lbw decisions and that is how he got them,” Dhiraj Parsana was quoted by IANS as saying.

Axar Patel deserves the opportunity: Dhiraj Parsana

The 73-year-old has observed Axar Patel since the all-rounder use to come to the stadium for practise and for playing in the junior team. Parsana reckons Patel is a smart player and deserves the success he has had – Axar came in the side in the absence of the injured Ravindra Jadeja. With a big tour of England later in the year, he has put himself above the likes of Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar in the pecking order.

“Axar knew those (England) guys were struggling and going for the spinning ball. So he trapped them with the arm ball that went straight. It was great and intelligent bowling.”

“Axar is a fine all-rounder, very intelligent. He has come through the ranks, playing age group cricket. He was a very consistent bowler and batsman. I think he deserves the opportunity. The competition nowadays is much tougher than it was in my days. There are many fighting for a  place — Jadeja, Nadeem etc. It is very tough in the professional arena,” the former spinner added.

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