'5 sixes to nahi khaunga' - Axar Patel was ready to bowl the final over vs England

Suryakumar Yadav had to choose who would bowl the final over between Axar Patel and Shivam Dube in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 6. The Indian captain eventually decided that Dube was the better choice for the situation, with England needing 30 runs for a memorable win.

Chasing an improbable 254-run target, England reached 224/6 at the end of the 19th over. A well-set Jacob Bethell, batting on 104 off 47 deliveries, took strike with 30 runs needed. Dube bowled a full delivery, which Bethell failed to get under. The England all-rounder hit the ball down to long-off and attempted to take two runs. However, a neat piece of fielding from Hardik Pandya saw the southpaw getting run-out at the striker's end.

In the next two balls, Dube conceded just two singles, all but ensuring a victory for the Men in Blue. Jofra Archer hit the last three balls of the over for sixes but England fell short of India's score by seven runs.

After the match, Axar said on Star Sports that he had the confidence of bowling the last over if needed. He said he knew he wasn't going to concede five sixes in an over.

"Mai ready tha. Mai long off pe khada tha aur ready tha aur bowling practice bhi kar raha tha. 30 runs to bohot, 5 chakke to nahi khaunga ye pata tha," Axar said with a laugh. (I was ready. I was standing at long-off and was already practising the final over. Thirty runs were too many and I knew I wouldn't get hit for five sixes in an over.)

Both Axar and Dube had a night to remember. The Mumbai all-rounder scored a breathtaking 43 off 25 balls in the first innings. Meanwhile, Axar took the important wicket of a dangerous Tom Banton and contributed in two dismissals with his exemplary fielding skills.