India vs England 2021: Axar Patel Extremely Happy To Dismiss In-Form Joe Root

Indian left-arm spinner Axar Patel was extremely happy to dismiss in-form batsman Joe Root to earn his maiden wicket in the first innings of the second Test at Chennai. Joe Root miscued a sweep shot playing against the spin and Ravichandran Ashwin took an easy catch to send the England skipper back to the dressing room. Axar Patel did a very good job in the first innings firing at good speeds and ended up with two wickets.

Joe Root has been in scintillating form in his last three Tests with two double centuries in the subcontinent which is not easy for a touring batsman by any means. His double century in the first Test at Chennai was vital in England going up 1-0 in the series, and his wicket was very crucial to India’s winning plans for the second Test. The field was set well with a deep square leg and fine leg pretty square in the same line with the deep fielder.

“I Had The Opportunity To Get Him Out” – Axar Patel

Axar Patel mentioned about watching Root in the first Test where the England skipper played a lot of sweep shots made him realise that he had the best oppurtunity to get Root out with his speeds. He told about having the option of LBW too, and eventually Root had to top edge playing the sweep. Axar Patel was delighted to get the in form batsman out and his reactions showed how desperate he was to get the England skipper.

“When I was watching the first Test I noticed that Joe Root plays a lot of sweep and reverse sweep shots, and I thought that with the speed that I bowl at, I had the opportunity to get him out, and I wanted my first wicket to be his dismissal.”

“I thought that if he tries to sweep my delivery, he may get out LBW. When he went for the sweep shot and made the mistake, to get an in-form batsman who has recently hit multiple centuries and double centuries. You can see it in the video how happy I was to get the wicket,” Axar Patel said at the end of Day 2.

Axar Patel Makes Immediate Impact

Axar Patel came into the team as the replacement for Shahbaz Nadeem who had a poor game in the first Test. Axar Patel missed the first test due to an injury and India desperately need Axar in the playing lineup to counter the absence of Jadeja from the squad. Axar has had a good outing in the test so far and he will be have a huge role to play in the fourth innnings.

Meanwhile, India has lost 6 wickets for 138 runs with a lead of 333 runs in the morning session with 20 minutes to go for lunch in the ongoing second Test.