4th Test, Day 4: I am just carrying forward my confidence and batting really well, says Axar Patel

Ahmedabad, March 12 : Indias left-arm spin all-rounder Axar Patel on Sunday said he is carrying forward the confidence, which is helping him bat really well in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.In day fours play on Sunday, Axar scored a brisk 79, including four sixes and five fours, to help India secure a 91-run lead and also helped the hosts reach 571 through a brilliant 162-run partnership with Virat Kohli, who top-scored with a magnificent 186.

"The way Im batting, I am happy to be contributing for the team.I am playing my game, backing my strengths.

I am just carrying forward my confidence and batting really well," he said to broadcasters at the end of days play.Though Axar has picked only two wickets in the series, he has managed to be a handy contributor with the bat lower down the order.

"The talk in the first Test was to carry forward the confidence.""The way I was helping the team win matches last year, thats helping me and giving me more confidence.

I am getting more information about my game, the strengths and weaknesses.I am punishing the bad balls and respecting the good deliveries," he added.

Asked if he had a set role as an aggressor, he replied, "I had no set role as such.The idea was to play as long as possible.At first we were chasing their score.

Once we went past, the talk was that if I get a bad ball, I would hit it as he (Virat) was tired and ball wasnt doing much.I had it in my mind that the score has to be tall."Axar is now third-highest run-getter in the ongoing series, scoring 266 runs at an average of 88.00.He had hit crucial fifties in Indias victories in Nagpur and New Delhi, and was the only batter to be unbeaten in both innings for the hosts in Indore."Once a batter is set, there isnt a lot in it for the bowlers.

There are a few odd balls that stay low due to the footmarks, but once you get set, you get an idea of the wicket and it gets easier," he concluded.nr/cs #confidence #Axar #Patel #Delhi #Carry #Delhi #New Delhi #Nagpur #Ahmedabad #Idea.