Amidst the contentious ODI series that spree the nerves, words are too short to detail the momentous feeling of the Indian team. In the third ODI between India and Australia at Holkar Stadium in Indore, team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya once again played a vital role in guiding the hosts to 50-run win and clinch the 5-match series with a 3-0 lead.
A day after Virat Kohli and Co slammed the visitors and won the series with 2 matches left, both the teams reached Bengaluru on Monday for the penultimate match. Thus, KL Rahul took time to chat with the emerging hero Hardik Pandya and also Axar (Akshar) Patel who was included in the squad for 4th and 5th ODIs.
Pandya, who won the man of the match award in Indore for his 78 runs and bowling figures of 1/58, was the focus with Rahul playing the role of an interviewer. During the tete-a-tete, the two stars shared their love for Bangalore. Rahul is a Bangalore local but he revealed Pandya was more excited about going to the City of Gardens than anyone else. What’s the reason, the batsman asked with a cheeky grin?
“I love the city – good food, good restaurants, good hotels, I love the team hotel – you always take me out. It’s better to go out and eat food than sitting at the hotel. Besides, I get to drive your car,” Pandya said.
Pandya and Rahul also turned their attention to Axar Patel, who was sitting next to them. Rahul then directed few questions to Axar Patel. Axar was asked to clarify the confusion behind his name. Patel revealed how the ‘X’ became a part of his name.
“I was in training camp in Bengaluru for the U-19 World Cup. I had to apply for a passport as I didn’t have one. I needed a relieving certificate from my school. My dad went to my school to get my relieving certificate made. In the certificate, school principal wrote Axar instead Akshar. All resulting documents like passport, driver’s license had Axar Patel. So, I decided to continue writing Axar, not Akshar,” the 23-year-old said.
The BCCI selectors on Sunday included Patel in the Indian squad for the last two one-dayers of the ongoing series against Australia, replacing Ravindra Jadeja. Patel had twisted his ankle before the series-opener in Chennai, therefore, the selectors had included Jadeja in the 15-man squad as a cover.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday shared an in-flight video featuring ‘man of the moment’ Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul and Axar Patel.
Watch The Video Here:
In-flight entertainment courtesy Team India https://t.co/EF5jq3dwOf #BCCI
— Cricket-atti (@cricketatti) September 26, 2017
The M Chinnaswamy stadium is all set for the big match, but rain threat remains one worrying point for everyone. Weathermen have predicted spells of thundershowers in the next 24 to 48 hours. In the last 24 hours, many parts of the city had witnessed heavy rain.
Also Watch: Hardik Pandya And Pat Cummins Involved In An Ugly Spat During The IND Vs AUS 3rd ODI