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After Rohit Sharma rescued India from what could have been a batting collapse for Team India, Indian all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel – stitched a match-defining partnership for the hosts in the first of four-match Test series against Australia in Nagpur.
The duo batted brilliantly on Friday afternoon to put on an unbeaten 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket to help India take a decent lead by the end of Day 2 in Nagpur. While Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten at 66, Axar Patel too scored a half-century off 94 deliveries. Both the all-rounders put in a terrific show in Nagpur to deny any chance to the Australian bowling and left them completely clueless in the match. After the day was over, Axar Patel took a sly dig at Australian media by stating that when the Indian team will come out to bowl, the surface will assist them.
“Till the time we bat tomorrow the pitch will play well, and when we get the chance to bowl – we will find help (laugh),” Axar said. He further claimed that Jadeja kept telling him not to lose focus on the game and keep rotating strikes.
“I have been doing well with the bat for the last year. That confidence is coming in handy. I always had confidence in my technique. I work on it when I get a break. Work with the coaching staff. They tell me that I have the ability, so I try to contribute,” Jadeja told Star Sports.
Earlier on Day 2, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma smashed his ninth Test century. Rohit scored 120 before getting dismissed by Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
