Axar Patel might just become the quickest bowler to scalp 100 wickets: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan seamer Shoaib Akhtar praised Axar Patel and stated that he might become the fastest to claim 100 Test wickets. Akhtar's comments came after Patel played a crucial role in India's whopping 3-1 Test sereies win over England. The southpaw earned his maiden Test call-up only because the left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was sidelined with a thumb injury.

Axar Patel also missed the first Test due to injury before making his debut in the second Test, and after that, there was no looking back. Right from his debut till the fourth Test, he troubled England and picked up 27 wickets at an average of just 10.59. Only Ravichandran Ashwin (32) claimed more wickets than him after having played one game more.

On his debut, Axar made an immediate impression and took seven scalps in the match. He also took 5-60 in the second innings as India claimed a series-levelling win. In the pink-ball Test, he did even better and returned figures of 6-38 and 5-42. India thrashed the England cricket team inside two days. In the fourth and final Test, the left-arm spinner picked up nine wickets, including 5 for 48 in the second innings. 

Axar Patel levels Dilip Doshi's record for most wickets in debut Test series

With his 27-wicket return, Axar Patel surpassed Ajantha Mendis' record (26) of the most wickets picked in a debut series. The 27-year-old also displayed his batting skills, scoring 43 runs in the first innings of the fourth and final Test. With a five-for in the second innings of the fourth Test, Axar levelled Dilip Doshi's record of most scalps (27) in a debut Test series for India. While Doshi had picked up 27 wickets in six matches, Axar achieved the milestone in just three games.

Shoaib Akhtar criticised Joe Root and Co. for their low batting display. The veteran pacer slammed the visitors for putting their focus on the pitch and not on their batting. He also highlighted that even youngsters like Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar scored runs on the pitch where England batsmen looked almost confused. Following their comfortable series win against England, India has booked their spot in the ICC World Test Championship final. The Indian cricket team will now square off against New Zealand at Lord's on June 18.

READ MORE Cricket articles here!