Axar Patel took the Indian cricketing world by storm in the recently-concluded home series against England. The left-arm spinner who made his debut in the second Test match at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai bowled really well by setting a trap for the England batsmen.

The spinner spun the web at the right place and at the right time that he took wickets at regular intervals. For Axar, Test cricket seemed like a walk in the park as he claimed 27 wickets in his debut series.

He also became the joint highest wicket-taker in the debut series for India tying Dilip Doshi, who also took 27 wickets against Australia in the year 1979. The 27-year-old left-arm spinner who was unable to play the series opener owing to an injury showcased his mettle in the second Test in Chennai by bagging a maiden fifer.

Shoaib Akhtar praises Axar Patel

Former cricketers and experts heaped praise on the spinner for his fantastic bowling performance. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar reserved the highest respect for India’s Axar Patel.

The Rawalpindi Express went on to add saying that the latest spin sensation might go on to become the quickest bowler to take 100 wickets in the longest format of the game.

Akhtar’s remarks came after the Gujarat-born lad chipped in with a fantastic contribution in India’s 3-1 win over England. Axar earned his maiden Test call-up because the wrecker-in-chief Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out of the series with a thumb injury,

Meanwhile, Axar Patel had a memorable debut as he took 7 wickets in the game. He claimed 5-60 in the second innings as India levelled the series. He took his bowling to the next level in the third Test where he took 6-38 and 5-42 as India beat the visitors inside two days.

In the series decider against England, Axar took 9 wickets including 5/48 in the second innings. “Not only did he get a suitable wicket to bowl on, but he is an intelligent bowler too. He wouldn’t have given a chance to the English players when the control was in his hands, and that is what he did.

If he keeps getting a few series like this, he might just become the fastest bowler to 100 wickets. Having said that, England should have played him better,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

After India scripted a 3-1 win over England, left-arm spinner Axar, at the post-match presentation said: “I think the confidence helped me. I got wickets in the first game and kept on carrying confidence.

When I and Washi were batting, we thought the pace variation wasn’t there. I only bowled faster ones more often in the previous games but here we needed to vary our pace. When I got back after being run-out, I didn’t have enough time to talk to Washi as we were bowled out.”