WI vs IND: Axar Patel breaks MS Dhoni's long-standing record during second ODI

Team India snatched a famous victory against West Indies in the second ODI in Trinidad on Sunday, 24th of July, to seal the three-match ODI series 2-0. India’s man of the hour, Axar Patel, broke MS Dhoni’s 17-year-long standing record in ODIs during his match-winning belligerence.

The hosts dominated the match and were looking set on their way to a series-leveling win until Axar Patel came into bat for India in the 39th over of the second innings, with the visitors struggling at 205/5. The southpaw was hitting the ball crisply from the get-go and seemed like batting on a different track from all the other Indian batters.

The all-rounder kept his cool in a record-breaking chase as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. The southpaw registered his maiden ODI half-century off just 27 deliveries and then finished the match in style with a humungous six down the ground. His match-winning six was not only reminiscent of the days of MS Dhoni but also broke the former Indian skipper’s record of hitting most sixes in a successful run chase for India, batting at no.7 or lower.

Notably, Dhoni had achieved the feat in 2005 when he smashed three sixes against Zimbabwe and former Indian explosive batter Yusuf Pathan also matched his tally twice in 2011. But Axar’s innings of 64 off 35 deliveries included five maximum, breaking the Indian legend’s 17- year old record.

I would want to continue performing like this for my team: Axar Patel

The left-arm spinner was India’s most economical bowler in the first innings and returned with commendable figures of 40/1 in his nine overs, but it was his ballistic show with the bat that earned him the Player of the Match award as he showed nerves of steel in an intense run chase. He expressed his desire to continue performing similarly for the team in the future during the post-match conference.

“I think this is a special one. It came at a crucial time and also helped the team to win the series. We have done the same in the IPL. We just needed to remain calm and keep the intensity up. I was playing an ODI after close to 5 years. I would want to continue performing like this for my team,” said Axar.