The unassuming man from Nadiad scored a swashbuckling 79 (5×4, 4×6) to drive India forward on the fourth and remaining day. It was his 162-run partnership with Virat Kohli that dented Australia’s hopes.
Following the day’s play, Patel revealed that he had labored on sure technical features of his batting heading into the sequence.
“When we started with the camp in Nagpur, we knew we will be playing on turning tracks. I didn’t prepare or plan much but did my own study for playing on spinning tracks. I just prepared myself to stand on the leg-stump to keep a check on the possible LBWs and stumpings that can happen on turning tracks. I also planned to not step out much against off-spinners. I was getting myself ready for these things before the series started,” mentioned Patel, who has scores 74, 84 to his credit score earlier than his efficiency on Sunday.
The 29-year-old was upset about lacking out on a maiden Test hundred after coming so near reaching it.
“You have rubbed salt into my wounds,” he quipped with amusing. “The way I was batting…and I know the chances I have missed don’t come often. Bade run karne the (wanted to score big). Positive is that I batted the way I wanted to, and we had a good partnership when the team needed it. I will feel it more (upset) when I get back to the room,” he mentioned.
That mentioned, such is the competitors for locations within the Indian XI that Patel, regardless of a string of constant performances, isn’t certain of creating the reduce for the World Test Championship remaining, if Rohit Sharma and Co. make it.
“It’s not in my hands and I can’t do anything about it. I am performing in the chances I am getting and am focusing on what’s in my hands. The coach and captain decide the playing XI and my job is to perform consistently and earn that place in the XI,” he mentioned.
With India forward within the recreation, Patel reckons getting early wickets would be the key on the ultimate day.
“It’s cricket. Anything can happen anytime. If we get two-three wickets early tomorrow, they might play defensively under pressure. The pitch is not like the way it was in the first three matches, so we just can’t go and run over them. You have to work hard and remain patient and keep bowling in the right areas,” he mentioned.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com