Axar Patel praises India for commanding Asian Games semifinal win

India spinner Axar Patel praised his team for producing a commanding performance against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games semifinal despite limited training and competition. India bowled Sri Lanka out for 45 runs after posting 169 for seven

Nisshin: India spinner Axar Patel on Thursday said it was commendable for his team to put in such a commanding performance in the Asian Games semifinal against Sri Lanka despite the lack of training and competition ahead of the knockout game here.

Ahead of the T20 semifinal, India had only one proper training session and a five-overs-a-side game against Japan since landing here 10 days ago.

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On a turning track, the players showed they were switched on, running through Sri Lanka for a 124-run win.

“But yeah, obviously, we had been waiting for quite a few days to play. You know, it was raining and the matches weren’t happening, but kudos to the team because when the match happened, I think everyone was switched on.

“To put in such a performance after a long break, I think everyone did a very commendable job overall,” said Axar, who took two wickets as India bowled out Sri Lanka for a record 45 runs.

India made 169 for seven on a surface full of cracks, a total that Axar thought was above par.

“Pakistan and Bangladesh also played on the same wicket, so we had seen that and estimated that 140-150 could be a winning total. So when we got 160 (169), we thought we were somewhere around 10-15 runs above par. When the match started, we were thinking 140-150.

“The way things were happening in the first match, and the ball was moving with drift, turn and bounce, we felt that 140 to 150 would be a winning score,” said Axar, who is expecting the other wickets in the square to play in the same manner.

As an Asian Games athlete, Axar is enjoying his stay in Japan.

He is also glad that Indian restaurants near their hotel are coming to the rescue of players seeking familiar flavours.

“There are Indian restaurants here, and we are getting packed food from them and eating that. We are getting food. There are three or four good Indian restaurants, and they make good food, so we are having packed food from them. But it’s very good.

“Obviously, cricket isn’t played that much in Japan, but I think the job they are doing is very commendable. In terms of the ground and the atmosphere, I think they are doing a very good job within their capabilities. And in the coming years, I think it will be upgraded and they will provide even better conditions (for cricket),” said Axar.

Travelling around with his Asian Games accreditation has also been a different experience for Axar.

“When we travelled with the team to Australia, England and other places, it was a different experience.

“But being here with (other) athletes during these Games, and coming here to play at the Asian Games, you know, everyone has an ID card, and people look at you differently when they see it because they know you are an athlete.

“It’s the first time I’ve experienced something like this. Even when you are walking around, if you have an ID card, people look at you differently and think, ‘Oh, he’s an athlete.’ So that’s been a different experience,” he added.