Opening game of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Phil Salt stole the show with his fantastic knock in match number 47 of the ongoing IPL 2024 against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday, April 29. Salt scored 68 runs off just 33 balls, setting the stage for KKR’s remarkable seven-wicket win over DC at the Eden Gardens.
However, it was Axar Patel’s outstanding performance that got everyone talking, including former cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu. Axar cleanly put Salt through with a brilliant arm ball on the first ball of the ninth over and impressed everyone in the clash between KKR and DC in Kolkata.
Navjot Singh Sidhu in awe of Axar Patel’s magic ball that outwitted Phil Salt
Sidhu compared Axar’s bowling style to that of legendary spinners Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan and Bishan Singh Bedi. In a video posted by Star Sports on microblogging site X, Sidhu said that the DC spinner reminded him of Bedi and Venkataraghavan. He praised the accuracy and skill of Axar’s performance, especially considering how well Salt had been batting up to that point.
Axar’s delivery was deceptive as it curved back in from a long distance, catching Salt off guard. Despite being in excellent form, Salt was unable to read Axar’s delivery and ended up being bowled. Sidhu highlighted the speed and accuracy of Axar’s bowling while praising the DC spinner.
The commentator mentioned that Salt was batting on 68 off 33 balls and that’s when Axar made a fool of KKR’s opener and sent him back to the dugout and that is the pure beauty of the left-arm spinner.
Navjot Singh Sidhu said in a Star Sports video: “It happened at the speed of a bullet. Bishen paaji and Venkat Raghavan sometimes bowled like that. To outwit a batsman who played like that and send him back, Axar, wah! Axar, you beauty. That’s why Axar Patel keeps getting selected in the Indian team. I was able to see bowling like that again after a long time.”
Look here:
🎤: “Send a group of batsmen home to impress them… Axar, you beauty!”
Has @sherryontopp I just pointed this out to the selectors #AxarPatel must get his #VisaToWorldCup? 😲✈️
Enjoy more Gold Class Sidhuisms from the Sardar of the Commentary Box throughout. #IPL2024! 🙌
📺 |… pic.twitter.com/jBS9FmBn0N
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 29, 2024
However, the Indian spin all-rounder’s efforts were not enough for DC as they suffered a heavy defeat against KKR at the Eden Gardens. Axar finished the game with an impressive performance of 2/25 in 4 overs against KKR. Lizaad Williams also managed a wicket as DC failed to defend the target of 154 runs against Shreyas Iyer and his team at Eden Gardens.
In pursuit of the target, Salt gave KKR a blistering start and then Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 33 and Venkatesh Iyer’s unbeaten 26 helped the hosts chase the target within 17 overs as they won the IPL 2024 match by 7 wickets against Kolkata .
With this win, KKR rose to 12 points in the IPL 2024 points table but remains behind league leaders Rajasthan Royals (RR), who have 16 points. While DC missed a chance to climb the points table, KKR will next face Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 3, while DC will face RR in the tournament on May 7.