IND vs AUS: Steve Smith drops Axar Patel in slip cordon as Australia engage in intriguing arm-wrestle

Team India star all-rounder Axar Patel was dropped by Steve Smith as the former registered a sensational half-century in the ongoing Test. Rohit Sharma and Co. have locked horns against the dominant Aussies in the second of the four-match series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

After India's wickets fell in clusters due to Nathan Lyon’s masterclass with the ball, India star all-rounder Axar Patel  steadied the ship for the hosts with his timely innings. Axar stitched a vital partnership with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin of 114 runs in their batting innings.

A crucial 50-run partnership for #TeamIndia! Will @akshar2026 and @ashwinravi99 frustrate the Aussies and get 🇮🇳 back in the game?

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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 18, 2023

However, during the start of Axar's innings while he was batting on 28, Nathan Lyon had the perfect opportunity to claim another victim. Defending the ball which turned, Axar got a slight deflection which saw the ball carrying to the slip where Steve Smith was present. Smith, however, failed to grab the ball as it went for a boundary.

Axar Patel keeps India’s fight alive

Despite losing the early wickets, Axar played out a special innings which helped India keep their fight alive. However, he was dismissed for 74 runs off 115 balls as Todd Murphy claimed the vital scalp.

Team India trail by a run as the side was dismissed for 262 runs. It is worth mentioning that the two sides are contending for a spot in the summit clash of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle. 

Despite handing a 1-0 lead in the Nagpur Test, the Aussies have put up a tough fight in the second Test and will look to get level in the series. That said, India will look to stay on top and obtain a result in their favour which will further boost their chances of making a place in the finals of the global ICC event. With three days to go, it remains to be seen what transpires.