Ind vs Eng 3rd Test: Axar Patel claims consecutive 5-wicket hauls; joins elite list- Check out – India’s Axar Patel was the star of Day 1 of the 3rd Test against England at Motera in Ahmedabad. His 6/38 was enough for the hosts to bowl out England for a paltry 112 runs just before lunch in the first-ever Day/Night Test between the two.
For the local boy, it was a memorable day as he joined an elite list of Indian bowlers. It was Axar Patel’s second consecutive five-wicket haul after he returned with 5/60 in the 2nd Test in Chennai. In the process, the left-arm orthodox spinner became only the third Indian after Mohammad Nissar and Narendra Hirwani to have achieved the feat for India.
Ind vs Eng 3rd Test: Axar-Ashwin shares 9 wickets as England lineup crumbles
England skipper, Joe Root, chose to bat first on a surface that had assistance for spinners. But England collapsed almost immediately with left-arm spinner Patel being the wrecker in chief.
Opting to bat after winning a crucial toss, Joe Root’s men once again looked clueless against the in-form spin combination of Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. The visitors lost four wickets in the opening session before unravelling completely in the second.
While Patel picked up for 6/38 in 21.4 overs, Ashwin returned figures of 3/26. Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, who is playing in his 100th Test, also chipped in with one wicket.
Opener Zak Crawley was England’s top scorer with a breezy 53-run knock that came off 84 balls before he was trapped LBW by Patel. Crawley’s impressive stay at crease included 10 fours.
Skipper Joe Root’s 17 was the only other notable contribution in the below-par total. The series is currently tied 1-1 after England triumphed in the opener and India claimed the honours in the second game.
Brief scores: England 1st Innings: 112 all out in 48.4 overs (Zak Crawley 53, Joe Root 17, Axar Patel 6/38, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/26, Ishant Sharma 1/26).