'Was keen to start and finish every over well': Semi-final hero Axar

Updated On: 29 June, 2024 06:43 AM IST | Providence | R Kaushik

Their reward—a Saturday date at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown against first-time finalists South Africa

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Axar Patel celebrates a wicket against England on Thursday. Pic/AFP

Even before umpire Chris Gaffaney’s right index finger shot skywards, Jos Buttler put his head down and commenced his long walk back to the dugout. England’s opener, their premier batter and captain had fallen to the first ball of spin in his team’s run-chase against India. As he departed the crease, he must have had an inkling of what was to follow.

Key batting contributions

What followed at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday was utter and complete carnage. Having ridden on handsome contributions from skipper Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, and blistering cameos from Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, to post 171-7 on being asked to bat first in the second semi-final, India piggybacked on Axar’s brilliance to skittle England for 103 and complete a 68-run thumping. Their reward—a Saturday date at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown against first-time finalists South Africa.

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