Former India player Suresh Raina has lauded Axar Patel for his all-round performance in the fourth T20 International (T20I) against Australia. He noted that the spin-bowling all-rounder delivered a potent and economical spell, along with scoring crucial runs at the end of the Indian innings.
Axar scored an unbeaten 21 off 11 deliveries as India set Australia a target of 168 runs in the fourth T20I held at Gold Coast on Thursday, November 6. The left-arm spinner then registered impressive bowling figures of 2/20 in four overs. His efforts helped bowl out the hosts for just 119, sealing an emphatic 48-run win and giving India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
During a discussion on Star Sports, Raina was asked about his thoughts on Axar’s all-round performance.
“When Matthew Short was batting, he was looking in a different rhythm. Axar came and got him out first and then he got Josh Inglis out. The momentum started from there,” Raina said. “If we talk about batting, he scored crucial runs in the last few overs. He has been doing well for a very long time.”
“He picked up two wickets and conceded only 20 runs in his four overs. To bowl 12 dot balls at that time was fantastic bowling by Axar Patel. He showed why he bowls stump to stump. He always bowls positively and looks to pick up wickets. Everyone together won the game, but I feel India won because of Axar’s crucial runs and the two wickets he picked,” added the former India batter.
Axar Patel bowled a disciplined spell, delivering 12 dot balls and conceding just two boundaries in his four overs. He trapped Matthew Short (25 off 19) lbw to break a 37-run opening partnership before castling Josh Inglis (12 off 11) for his two crucial wickets.
### “He Came to Bowl Under Pressure”
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel also praised Axar, choosing him as India’s best bowler in the fourth T20I, although he acknowledged that Washington Sundar was more successful in terms of wicket tally.
“Axar Patel definitely, considering the way he bowled. He came to bowl under pressure. He came to bowl in the powerplay, where it seemed like Matthew Short was in form and had momentum. He got a set batter out,” said Parthiv.
“If one looks at the wickets, one would say Washington Sundar. He bowled just eight balls and picked up three wickets,” he added.
The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted Axar’s versatility with both bat and ball, emphasizing his value in the shortest format of the game.
“Axar showed once again that he can bat at every number. If we talk about the T20 World Cup final, he batted up the order and scored almost a fifty. Here, when he had to play a cameo and give India a good finish with big shots, he did that as well. We know he can bowl in every phase. He proved once again why he is an extremely valuable player in this format,” Parthiv observed.
Axar Patel struck a four and a six during his unbeaten 21-run knock, hitting both boundaries in the final over bowled by Marcus Stoinis to ensure India crossed the 160-run mark.
—
*Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda for the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news.*
*Article edited by Kartik Iyer.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-to-bowl-12-dot-balls-time-fantastic-bowling-suresh-raina-lauds-axar-patel-s-performance-aus-vs-ind-2025-4th-t20i
