NEW DELHI: Opener
Phil Salt
's scintillating innings of 68 off just 33 balls stole the spotlight, laying the groundwork for Kolkata Knight Riders' convincing seven-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals at the Eden Gardens on Monday.
However, it was
Axar Patel
's sensational delivery to dismiss Salt that sparked a chorus of praise, drawing comparisons to spin legends
Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan
and
Bishan Singh Bedi
.
Axar's precision and guile were on full display on the first ball of the ninth over as he clean bowled the well-set Salt with a deceptive arm-ball that curved back in from a length. Salt, who was in imperious form, found himself outfoxed by Axar's cunning delivery, falling victim to its sheer pace and trajectory.
WATCH:
Former India cricketer and renowned commentator
Navjot Singh Sidhu
, while providing insights on Star Sports, lauded Axar's delivery, likening it to the bowling styles of legendary spinners
Venkat Raghavan
and Bishen Singh Bedi. Sidhu marveled at the speed and execution of Axar's delivery, highlighting its effectiveness against a batsman in sublime touch like Salt.
"This came at the speed of a bullet," Sidhu exclaimed, drawing parallels to the deliveries of Bishen paaji and Venkat Raghavan. "To outfox a batsman who was playing like this, sending him back, Axar, wah! That's why Axar Patel is selected again and again in the Indian team."
Sidhu's admiration for Axar's skillful bowling was palpable as he praised the left-arm spinner's ability to deceive the batsman with a perfectly executed arm-ball.
Sidhu's commentary resonated with nostalgia as he reminisced about the artistry of spin bowling embodied by legends like Raghavan and Bedi. "I got to see such bowling after a long time," Sidhu reflected, emphasizing the beauty of Axar's delivery and its resemblance to the classical left-arm spin of yesteryears.
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