A bizarre request by India Star to beat chilli conditions got rejected by the umpire
Axar Patel led the charge with the ball for India before Shivam Dube starred with the bat to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan on Thursday. Axar returned figures of 2/23 as India restricted Afghanistan to 158/5 after Rohit Sharma opted to bowl. Axar got the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah, respectively. While chasing the target of 159, Dube powered India across the finishing line in 17.3 overs with an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls.
The playing conditions weren't the best due to the temperature dropping as low as 7 degrees Celsius in Mohali. However, Axar and Dube shone to give India an advantage ahead of the second game in Indore on Sunday.
Despite his brilliant spell, Axar admitted that the chilly weather made his job slightly difficult.
Axar said during the mid-innings show that "I wasn't feeling the ball; it was very cold. We knew it was winter and would be cold, but I was only thinking about my bowling and how to put pressure on them. There was a lot of dew, but I focused on my accuracy.”
Axar also revealed that he had asked the umpire if he could wear a glove on his non-bowling arm, to which the umpire rejected his request.
"Maine umpire se poochathaki main ekhaanth me gloves pehenke bowling karlun, lekinunhonemanakardiya," he added.