Sunil Gavaskar Praises Axar Patel's Fielding and Jasprit Bumrah's Bowling in T20 World Cup Semifinal

Gavaskar Commends Axar Patel's Fielding Skills

Following India's victory against England in the T20 World Cup semifinal, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar highlighted Axar Patel's impressive fielding. He noted that Axar is effectively stepping into the role previously held by Ravindra Jadeja and has the potential to become one of India's cricketing legends.

While Sanju Samson's remarkable 89 runs, Jacob Bethell's aggressive century during a challenging 254-run chase, and Jasprit Bumrah's economical bowling performance of 1/33 were significant, Axar's two outstanding catches were crucial in securing India's win. His first catch dismissed England's captain Harry Brook, and the second, a relay catch with Shivam Dube, removed Will Jacks, breaking a vital 77-run partnership.

Gavaskar on Axar's 'Unbelievable' Fielding

During an appearance on Star Sports' 'Amul Cricket Live', Gavaskar praised Axar's cricketing acumen, particularly during the relay catch with Dube. He remarked on Axar's improving bowling skills, stating, "Axar Patel's catch to dismiss Harry Brook was unbelievable. Brook is a game-changer, and every opportunity to dismiss him must be seized, which Axar did. He covered 24 meters from his position, maintained focus on the ball, and executed the catch perfectly. Additionally, his involvement in Will Jacks' dismissal was pivotal. The partnership between Bethell and Jacks was threatening, but Axar's quick thinking and execution showcased his cricketing intelligence."

'Axar is Set to Become One of India's Greats'

Gavaskar emphasized that temperament distinguishes the great players from the good ones. He believes that with his batting and bowling skills, Axar is on track to become one of India's cricketing greats. "We had Ravindra Jadeja before him, and Axar is filling that gap effectively. His bowling requires some refinement, which will come with experience. His skills are improving annually, and his role as vice-captain indicates he is considering the team's overall strategy, which is beneficial for his development," he added.

'Once-in-a-Century Bowler': Gavaskar Lauds Bumrah

Gavaskar also expressed admiration for Jasprit Bumrah's bowling performance of 1/33 in four overs, especially as many bowlers struggled with high economy rates. He referred to Bumrah as a "once-in-a-century" bowler, stating, "Jasprit Bumrah is not just a once-in-a-generation bowler; he is a once-in-a-century talent. He excels in all formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20s. Whenever you hand him the ball, he delivers. While he may have the occasional match where he concedes runs, he consistently performs well when it matters most, often conceding fewer runs than others."

Match Summary

India batted first, with Sanju Samson leading the charge with an explosive 89 runs off 42 balls, supported by Shivam Dube (43 runs), Ishan Kishan (39 runs), Hardik Pandya (27 runs), and Tilak Varma (21 runs), resulting in a total of 253/7 in 20 overs.

Despite India reducing England to 95/4, Jacob Bethell (105 runs) and Will Jacks (35 runs) formed a counter-attacking partnership of 77 runs for the fifth wicket. Bethell continued to score even after Jacks' dismissal, and a quick 19 runs from Jofra Archer brought England close, but they ultimately finished at 246/7.