IND vs ENG: Axar Patel opens up on the secret behind bowling arm balls

Axar Patel has had a fairytale start to his Test career. The left-arm spinner, playing in only his second Test match, claimed a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the third Test at Ahmedabad as England were bowled out for a paltry score of just 112 in the first innings.

Another interesting factor that made Patel such a massive success in the third Test was the way he employed the arm ball to telling effect. In fact, 4 out of the 6 wickets that he scalped were taken only with his arm ball that went straight on. While the likes of Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow played down the wrong line and were caught plumb in front of the stumps, Jofra Archer and Ben Foakes had their timber disturbed by Axar’s arm ball.

And now, Axar has opened up on the secret to his success. The left-arm spinner said that he learned the arm ball all by himself, and worked with former Indian left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju to master the same. Patel also added that he used to be a fast bowler during his younger days, and revealed that it was the main reason behind him bowling quicker.

Patel dwelled on the fact that it was his experience of being a fast bowler that allowed him to bowl the arm ball and stated that it was due to his knee problems that he became a spinner.

“I have learnt the arm ball myself. I worked with Venkat Sir (Venkatapathy Raju) at the NCA to master this delivery. I was a fast bowler in the early days of my career, which is why my bowling style is a bit quicker. So, I think my experience of being a fast-bowler also helps me bowl arm balls. I converted myself into a spinner only because of knee problems, but what I used to do in my early days helps me bowl those arm balls quicker,” said Patel in the post-match press conference.

I didn’t expect getting a six-for: Axar Patel

Axar Patel also added that he definitely did not expect to get a 6-wicket haul on the first day as there was no guarantee that the Indian side would be bowling first. He concluded by stating that he felt confident coming into the third Test after he had picked up a 5-wicket haul in the previous rubber.

“But to be honest, I didn’t expect getting a six-for on the first day itself as there was no guarantee that we would be bowling first. However, the confidence was always there after I took five wickets in the previous Test and was bowling well too,” concluded Patel.

At the end of Day 1, the Indian side has obtained firm control of the Test match. After skittling out the England side for a total of just 112, the hosts ended the first day with their scorecard reading 99/3.