T20 World Cup 2024: Axar Patel gets massive backing from former India legend after Phil Salt's wicket vs KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Phil Salt stole the show with his fantastic batting during match number 47 of the ongoing IPL 2024 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, April 29. Salt scored 68 runs off just 33 balls, setting the stage for KKR's remarkable win by seven wickets against DC at the Eden Gardens.

However, it was Axar Patel's outstanding delivery that got everyone talking, including former cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu. Axar clean-blended Salt with a brilliant arm-ball on the first ball of the ninth over and impressed one and all during the KKR vs DC clash in Kolkata.

Navjot Singh Sidhu in awe of Axar Patel's magical ball that outsmarted Phil Salt

Sidhu compared Axar's bowling style to that of legendary spinners Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan and Bishan Singh Bedi. In a video posted by Star Sports on microblogging site X, Sidhu said that the DC spinner reminds him of Bedi and Venkataraghavan. He hailed the accuracy and craftiness of Axar's delivery, especially considering how well Salt had been batting until then.

Axar's delivery was deceptive, as it curved back in from a length, catching Salt off guard. Despite being in excellent form, Salt couldn't read Axar's delivery and ended up getting bowled. Sidhu highlighted the speed and accuracy of Axar's bowling while praising the DC spinner.

The commentator mentioned that Salt was batting at 68 off 33 balls, and at that time, Axar made the KKR opener fool and sent him back to the dugout, and that’s the pure beauty of the left-arm spinner.

Navjot Singh Sidhu said in a Star Sports video: “This came at the speed of a bullet. Bishen paaji and Venkat Raghavan was bowling like this sometimes. To outfox a batsman who was playing like this, sending him back, Axar, wah! Axar, you beauty. That's why Axar Patel is selected again and again in the Indian team. I got to see such bowling after a long time.”

Watch Here:

🎤: "Ek set batsman ko bewakoof banake ghar bhejna... Axar, you beauty!"

Has @<!---->s<!---->h<!---->e<!---->r<!---->r<!---->y<!---->o<!---->n<!---->t<!---->o<!---->p<!---->p just hinted to the selectors that #<!---->A<!---->x<!---->a<!---->r<!---->P<!---->a<!---->t<!---->e<!---->l must get his #<!---->V<!---->i<!---->s<!---->a<!---->T<!---->o<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->C<!---->u<!---->p? 😲✈️

Enjoy more gold class 'Sidhuisms' from the 'Sardar of the Commentary Box' throughout #<!---->I<!---->P<!---->L<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4! 🙌

📺 |… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->j<!---->B<!---->S<!---->9<!---->F<!---->m<!---->B<!---->n<!---->0<!---->N

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) A<!---->p<!---->r<!---->i<!---->l<!----> <!---->2<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

However, the Indian spin all-rounder’s efforts were not enough for DC, as they suffered a heavy defeat against the KKR at the Eden Gardens. Axar finished with impressive figures of 2/25 in 4 overs against KKR. Lizaad Williams also managed one wicket as DC failed to defend the target of 154 runs against Shreyas Iyer and his team at Eden Gardens.

Chasing the target, Salt gave a blazing start to KKR, and then Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 33 and Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 26 helped the hosts chase down the target inside 17 overs, as they won the IPL 2024 game by 7 wickets against Kolkata.

With this win, KKR went up to 12 points in the IPL 2024 points table but remains behind table-topper Rajasthan Royals (RR), which has 16 points. While DC wasted a chance to rise in the points table, KKR will next face the Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 3, while DC will play RR on May 7 in the tournament.