India has been the most successful side in the WTC, qualifying for the final after winning 12 of 17 matches, and 5 of 6 series.
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Indian all-rounder Axar Patel said on Sunday that the current Indian Test side does not depend on individual performances to win matches. Rather, he said, it is a collective effort that earns the side well-deserved victories. Patel’s statement comes ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand. Citing examples of India’s performances against Australia and England, Axar pointed out how the team performed as a unit. India has been the most successful side of the WTC. They qualified for the final match at Southampton against the Kiwis after winning 12 of 17 matches, and 5 of 6 series.
“When you have the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant in the top order and even if 2 out of the 5 batsmen get out early, you know the rest three can do the job,” Patel said as quoted by India TV.
“So, I think, this Indian team has that quality. It doesn’t depend on just one player. Everyone contributes equally. If openers don’t click, the middle-order performs. And if both the departments fail to score, lower-order provides the results. That’s the kind of teamwork and it’s our strength,” he added.
The Delhi Capitals spinner is currently in quarantine in Mumbai with the Indian test side. Patel also highlighted how different players have delivered on different moments when the team needed help.
“Our team had won the Test series in Australia when Virat wasn’t there. During the England series, Kohli got out early in a few innings but then Pant and Washington Sundar came up and performed. Rohit scored a couple of centuries as well. The spinners have also started batting down the order,” the lef-arm spinner said.
“You see how Shardul Thakur and Sundar made a partnership in Australia. And when you bat in England, you don’t chase big totals like 400 or 500. The total is around 300 or 250. So, that’s where the lower-order partnerships are important,” he concluded.
India will face New Zealand in the final of the WTC starting June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England. The 20-member contingent, led by skipper Virat Kohli, will leave for the UK after quarantining for 20 days and is scheduled to reach on June 3.
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