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Indian all-rounder Axar Patel pulled off an incredible series win for team India with his unbeaten 64 off just 35 deliveries to help India chase down a huge target of 312 at the Port of Spain in Trinidad. Patel's last-over heroic ensured the Shikhar Dhawan-led Indian cricket team takes an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
While team India needing eight runs to win the match and seal the three-match ODI series, Axar Patel turned out to be India's hero as he held his nerves in a tight situation and smashed a massive six over long-off in the fourth ball of the over as India completed a 2-wicket win with two balls to go. Axar played one of his finest knocks at the international stage and rescued Men in Blue from a crucial situation.
Mohammed Siraj, who was present at the non-striker end while Patel finished things off in style shared his feelings during the last over of the match and stated that Patel's energy in the middle injected a lot of confidence in him.
Recalling the moment from last over, Siraj revealed that he felt too pumped up after watching Axar on the other strike and wanted to go for a maximum, but eventually took a sensible decision of taking a single.
In conversation with BCCI TV, he said, "After witnessing Axar's energy in the middle, I felt like hitting sixes but it was sensible for me to take a single and let him take the strike. [Axar ko dekh ke lag raha tha ki jaise woh baat kar raha tha, jaise woh pumped tha, alag hi feel ho raha tha. Mujhe bhi feel ho raha tha hi mai bhi maar dunga chakka. But sensible yehi tha ki mera single lena]."
After Avesh Khan was dismissed off 10 runs, Siraj walked in the middle and joined Axar for the last-over proceedings. As Siraj pacer is not known for his batting abilities, Axar slogged the fuller delivery from Kyle Mayers towards deep mid-wicket on the second ball hoping to get back for a second. However, Axar couldn't retain the strike.
Siraj opted to take a swift single on the third delivery to bring the all-rounder on strike and finish things for Men in Blue. With team India needing 6-runs off 3 deliveries, Axar Patel pulled off an incredible win for the visitors as he dispatched the low-full-toss delivery over long-off for a six. claimed the ODI series with the final match yet to be played. The third ODI will be held at the same venue on Wednesday.