Axar came out to bat at a stage where all hope was drained out of the run chase. Defending a mammoth 207-run total, the Sri Lankan seamers were on point to dismantle the Indian top order. Kasun Rajitha and Co. ran through the wickets and claimed four in the powerplay to leave India at 34-4, which worsened to 57-5 after Deepak Hooda’s wicket.

Recalling the conversation he had with Suryakumar Yadav after making his way to the crease with the asking rate already over 14 runs per over, Axar said in a clip released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI):

The pair imparted hope to India’s chances with some fearless batting. They switched gears and launched an attack on the spinners. During the 14th over of the second innings, the duo hit Wanindu Hasaranga for 25 runs, with Axar hitting three consecutive sixes.

Noting that he did not specifically target the spinner and just looked to swing his bat through the line and clear the ropes, Axar said:

The all-rounder perished in the final over of the innings, trying to clear a Dasun Shanaka full-stop over long-off. A bright cameo by Shivam Mavi also could not help Team India cross the line, leading to a first loss against the Lankan Lions on home soil in over six years.

“Since we lost, I am thinking that I could have finished it” - Axar Patel

On the back of some brute hitting in the second half of the innings, the Men in Blue needed 21 runs to get in the final over to claim the series. However, a potent over by Dasun Shanaka, who made the call to bring himself into the attack over Wanindu Hasaranga.

Admitting that he should have carried the team to a win and exuding the importance of intent, Axar Patel said:

The two sides are scheduled to play in the series finale at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Saturday, January 7.

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Also Read: “Surya and Axar almost took the game away from us” - Dasun Shanaka on Sri Lanka’s win in the 2nd T20I

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