India vs New Zealand 2017, 1st T20I: Hits and Misses

#2 Hit: Axar Patel

Axar Patel was the pick of India's bowlers in the match

While leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal could lay claim to picking up the vital scalp of Martin Guptill, Axar Patel effectively sealed the deal for India by dismissing Tom Bruce and Colin de Grandhomme in quick succession. On a pitch which offered a semblance of assistance for spinners, the left-armer varied his lengths and pace smartly to prevent the New Zealand batsman from getting settled against him.

Indicating that he also had subtle variations in his armoury, Axar set up Bruce by willingly slowing his pace. With the ball not coming on to him, the middle-order batsman struggled to force the issue. Ultimately, a slower one induced a poor shot from the right-hander. A ball later, Axar prised out another scalp. Upon shortening his length to de Grandhomme, the lack of pace once again resulted in success for the wily left-arm spinner.