Jennifer
On 1 February 2023, team India won the three-match home T20I series against the Kiwis. Hence, it was the fourth consecutive bilateral series win for the Men in Blue in 2023 so far. Now, they will be back in action in the longest format of the game. India will take on Australia in the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home, starting on 9 February.
However, both KL Rahul and Axar Patel took a rest from the recent series against New Zealand. Both these cricketers got married and now, they will be back in the upcoming Test series. However, Australia have already reached India and on 2 February, they started their preparations in the five-day camp in Bengaluru. Now, reports have come out from the Sydney Morning Herald that the Aussies are studying Axar Patel’s footage closely as they think he is the biggest threat.
“I think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match” – Steve Smith of Australia
Pat Cummins and Co. are practicing at Alur cricket stadium, Bengaluru to prepare for spinning tracks. However, they did not consider any practice game this time around before the series. Speaking about it, Steve Smith said that they have made the right decision to not play a tour match. While speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Smith said: “The last time we went I’m pretty sure we got served up a green top (to practice on) and it was sort of irrelevant. We’re better off having our own nets and getting spinners in and bowling as much as they can. We’ll wait and see when we hit the ground. I think we’ve made the right decision to not play a tour match.”
Speaking about Axar Patel, he has managed a great start to his Test career for the Men in Blue. As of now, he has played eight matches where Axar has taken 47 wickets, at an average of 14.29. Axar has already managed to take five fifers and one 10-wicket haul. So, Australia will find it tough if team India play with all three players, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The series will kick off on 9 February while the home side will look to win this series to get a place in the final of the ongoing World Test Championship.
Here is how fans have reacted to the reports of Australia studying Axar Patel’s footage:
Shadi ki footage study karke kaise pata laga lenge ki huge threat hai
— भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) February 2, 2023
This time Aussies are coming so much prepared they are not leaving anything 😳🤨
— The BôoGeyMãn😈 (@thevoldomart) February 2, 2023
India shivering 🥶
— VIRAT TILL DEATH (@ViratTilldeath) February 2, 2023
And india will play kuldeep jadeja and ashwin instead 😭😭😭
— The Big Lord (@TheBiglord09) February 2, 2023
Hope @CricketAus is not studying this one. pic.twitter.com/IXZNFubslD
— Vishal Chheda (@vpc1987) February 2, 2023
pretty sure jadeja will be out of syllabus then 🙂
— Sidhant Madaan (@sidhantmadman) February 2, 2023
Australia Team while watching Axar Patel's footage pic.twitter.com/Q9ll9wALNn
— Vishal Deshmukh (@kaafiAverage) February 2, 2023
Bapu ka keher🥶
— Harman 🇮🇳 (@Harman35673056) February 2, 2023
