My experience of being a fast bowler helps me bowl arm balls: Axar Patel

Indian spinner Axar Patel couldn’t have asked for better debut in the longest format of the game where he has clinched more than 5 wickets each in his both Test match that he has played till date.

He and ashwin took 9 wickets among them to bowl England all out on 112 runs in the first innings.

Where he took 6 wickets and Ashwin chipped in with 3 wickets. When Patel was asked about the reason for his success to which he replied he constantly was trying to land the ball at one spot rather than mingling too much in variation.

He also added that he applied arm ball to telling effect which played an important role in Engalnd fall of wickets in the first innings.

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.

He also gave credit to former Indian left arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju who helped him to master his arm ball craft.

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