Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karimheaped praise on Axar Patel following the all-rounder's starring role in India's six-wicket victory over England in the first ODI at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14. Karim believes Axar rediscovered his form after an underwhelming T20I series and delivered when the team needed him the most.

Axar played a decisive role in India's win, first returning figures of 4/62 in 9.5 overs to help bowl England out for 258 before remaining unbeaten on 57 off 52 balls during the chase. His century partnership with Washington Sundar guided India to a comfortable victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Karim was asked about the unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar that sealed the chase for India.

While praising Sundar for consistently contributing whenever given opportunities, the former India cricketer highlighted that Axar's innings came at a crucial time after he struggled to make a similar impact in the T20Is against England.

"Axar Patel rediscovered his form. Washington Sundar has proved himself in many ways. Whenever he has gotten chances, he has added value in his own way.

However, this knock has come at the right time for Axar Patel. He wasn't performing like this in T20s," he said while speaking on JioHotstar. 

Karim also lauded Axar's batting approach, pointing out how the left-hander absorbed the pressure early in his innings before shifting gears once he settled at the crease.

"It was expected that he would perform, and when the right time came today (Tuesday), when the pressure mounted on him, he scored runs. I also liked the way he showed aggression.

He soaked in the pressure a little. He took his time for the first 10 balls, and then when he hit two big shots in a spinner's over, his confidence increased after that," Saba observed.

Karim further explained that Axar's success with the ball earlier in the match likely boosted his confidence while batting and urged the all-rounder to take greater responsibility more consistently.

"This happens many times for an all-rounder.

If you bowl well, you benefit from that in batting as well. That was seen in Axar Patel's batting today. We expect this maturity to be seen every time because he has that experience now. Until Axar Patel takes ownership like this, it will be very difficult to get such performances. So, finally, the maturity and experience worked for Axar Patel today," he said.

Axar struck five boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 57. He also stitched an unbroken 102-run stand for the fifth wicket with Washington Sundar, who remained unbeaten on 52 off 63 deliveries, after India found themselves at 160/4 in pursuit of 259.