Bowled to my strengths and was rewarded, says spinner Axar Patel

Axar Patel and Mohit Sharma of India celebrate during the 1^st T20I against Zimbabwe

Harare, July 17: Awarded man-of-the-match on his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against Zimbabwe on Friday, India's left-arm spinner Axar Patel on Friday said he bowled to his strengths and was rewarded with a three-wicket haul.

India beat Zimbabwe by 54 runs in their first T20I of a two-match series at the Harare Sports Club here. Set a target of 179, Zimbabwe could muster only 124/7, undone by the slow bowling pair of Axar Patel (3-17) and veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (2-29), who derailed the hosts after a promising start.

"I bowled to my strengths, cut the pace off the ball, so batsmen can't hit me. So I was rewarded. I like the dukes ball that has more pronounced seam to grip," Axar said at the post match presentation ceremony.

Earlier with the bat, Murali Vijay (34 off 19 balls), Rahane (33 off 32 balls) and Robin UIthappa (39 off 35 balls) helped India post a commendable total.