Irfan Pathan reflects on Axar Patel’s gutsy half-century

Team India dominated the first two days of the first Test match against Australia. After an impressive display with the ball and then dominating the Aussies with the bat, India continued to put pressure on the already struggling Australian team. Skipper Rohit Sharma played a fabulous knock of 120 off 212 balls.

After Sharma’s inspirational innings, both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel impressed with the bat. Axar Patel, in particular, was impressive, scoring 84 off 174 balls to make matters worse for the Australians. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan reflected on the demons of the pitch and the performance of Axar.

Reacting to Axar’s performance, Pathan tweeted, "No 9 batter getting a half century on day 2. Good pitch isn’t it??" He cited that if a player coming in at number nine can score a half-century, then maybe the pitch does not have as many demons as once thought.

No 9 batter getting a half century on day 2. Good pitch isn’t it?? #INDvsAUS

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 10, 2023

India 400 all-out in the first innings, lead Australia by 223 runs

Thanks to the knocks of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and the short but effective cameo on Mohammed Shami, team India were able to notch up 400 runs on the scoreboard. Shami played a knock of 37 off 47 balls where he smashed three sixes and two fours.

Once again, it was debutant Todd Murphy who took the wicket of Shami. The 22-year-old completed his 7-wicket haul as he continued the debut of his dreams. After India’s impressive batting display, they lead the Australian team by 223 runs.

Jadeja, who took five wickets on Day One, was really impressive with the bat as well. The 34-year-old scored 70 off 185 balls, and the marvellous batting display of the Indian team could prove costly for Australia.

The Aussies will be looking to change things up in the second innings when they come out to bat. David Warner and Usman Khawaja, who were dismissed very early at the start of Day One, will hope that things will be different this time around.