'Dream for Any Bowler': Indian Bowlers Pick Axar Patel's Outfoxing Jonny Bairstow as Favourite Wicket of Day 1

Team India bowlers had a field day against England on the opening day of the first Test match at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. England failed to execute their Bazball brand against the Indian spin troika Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel claimed eight wickets combined. Ashwin and Jadeja picked three each while Axar took two, Jasprit Bumrah also joined the party and claimed a couple.

The Indian bowlers produced some magical deliveries on Day 1 including Axar castling Jonny Bairstow with a peach and Bumrah outfoxing England captain Ben Stokes.

After the day’s play, the BCCI posted a video on their social media account at X, where the Indian wicket-takers chose which was the favourite wicket of the day.

Ashwin picked Axar getting the better of Bairstow as his best wicket as he referred to it as a dream delivery.

“I think Axar Patel to Jonny Bairstow was a fantastic delivery. He got this weird angle coming from a wide arc. The batters are looking to protect their pads. I think Jonny came across it a little bit and it straightened enough to hit the top of off. That’s the dream for any bowler,” said Ashwin.

All-rounder Jadeja gave his vote to Axar as he claimed that the wicket shifted the momentum in India’s favour.

“I will go with Axar Patel (getting Bairstow) because that ball has changed the momentum of the innings,” said Jadeja.

Bumrah, who himself produced a jaffa to get rid of Stokes, picked Axar’s delivery to Bairstow – the best of the day.

“I think Axar took an important wicket because at that time, they were going through a good partnership. It was a peach of delivery. A typical spinner’s delivery,” said Bumrah.

Meanwhile, Axar went ahead with Bumrah’s wicket as he was impressed with how the Indian pacer set up Stokes with with an outswinger after a couple of slow balls.

“I pick Bumrah’s wicket of Stokes. I saw it in the replay also, he had bowled two slower deliveries and then bowled a quick outswinger. I think that was a very good delivery, he was trying to step out and hit and Bumrah outplayed him,” said Axar.