Former India batsman Virender Sehwag has lauded allrounder Axar Patel for playing mind games against Australia during the just-concluded first Test at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Team India thrashed Australia by an innings and 132 runs to take the lead in the four-match series.

India bowled out the visitors for just 91 inside a session on day three to wrap up the first Test inside three days. The hosts thoroughly dominated the contest and were on top throughout the game.

Australia were all out for just 177 in the first innings despite winning a good toss. Ravindra Jadeja was the star with the ball, taking 5 wickets. In reply, the hosts piled up a mammoth total of 400 in their first innings. Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front, scoring 120 while Jadeja (70) and Axar Patel (84) also scored fifties.

Australia’s performance in the second innings was even worse as they were blow away by India’s spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja. Ashwin picked up 5 and Jadeja 3 to bowl out the world number one Test side for a paltry 91.

Virender Sehwag lauds Axar Patel:

Soon after the first Test in Nagpur came to an end, Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to express his delight over the way India dominated the visitors. He lauded allrounder Axar Patel for his mind games, saying that the visitors are now getting a taste of his own medicine.

Sehwag posted a photo showing Axar’s comments after second day’s play where he had taken a dig at Australia’s obsession with the pitch, saying: “Till the time we bat tomorrow, the pitch will play well and when we get the chance to bowl, we will find help.”

Delighted with Axar’s comment, Virender Sehwag tweeted: “There was a time Australia were way ahead of the rest in playing mind games. Now they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Brilliant from Axar Patel …isse kehte hain kehkar….Mazaa aa gaya.”

There was a time Australia were way ahead of the rest in playing mind games. Now they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Brilliant from Axar Patel …isse kehte hain kehkar….
Mazaa aa gaya pic.twitter.com/FRdVmZRlZj

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 11, 2023

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