I am able to bowl freely because of Kohli’s strong backing, says Axar Patel

INDIA ALL ROUNDER Azar Patel credited skipper Virat Kohli for giving him the ability to set the field and bowl freely.

Axar, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav following the first ODI, mentioned that Kohli’s suggestions are beneficial to the bowling unit. 

“Obviously the captain backs you if you do well. I’ve been playing since the second ODI and he (Kohli) has been supporting me to bowl with a free mind. He allows you to bowl with a free mind and set the field accordingly. And if it doesn’t work out, he gives suggestions. Obviously you feel better and have a free mind if the captain backs you.”

Axar explained how the bowling department approached the second and the third ODIs after analyzing the first one in Mumbai.

“In the first ODI they had played the sweep shot really well. Their strategy in Mumbai was clear that they will sweep against the spinners. For me the strategy was to employ an angle be it over the wicket or around the wicket. And to mix things up, push a full delivery or a shorter delivery. That is how we had planned things.”

The 23-year-old added that he is taking one game at a time and is confident that he his performances will be acknowledged by the selectors.

“I am not seeing it whether I’ve made a place in the team or not. I am taking it as per the match and it’s not that I am determined to stay in the Indian team permanently. I just think if I do well in one match, then I will be selected for the next one. It’s not that I have to make space for myself. Obviously I have space which is why I am playing. I just want to do well for India.”