4th Test: Axar Patel’s dad 'thrilled' to watch his son excel at Motera

Axar Patel’s father Rajesh (second from left) with friends at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Motera yesterday. Pics/Harit N Joshi

Local lad Axar Patel's father, Rajesh, was unsure if he and his family should undertake the hour-long drive from their home in Nadiad to Motera for Day One of the fourth Test on Thursday. Had India been batting first, he would not have got to see his son bowl.

Kapil Dev

However, he took the trip anyway and mid-way through the journey, he was happy to learn that England had chosen to bat after winning the toss. Eventually, Patel Sr, his friend Anil Patel and a couple of family members were proud to see Axar finish with 4-68.

"I was thrilled," Patel Sr told mid-day. "I regret not coming for the third Test, where Axar claimed 11 wickets. We decided to come later but the match was already over by then," he said. Patel's friend Anil, who lives in America, said: "If India would have batted first today, we would have gone back."

Patel Sr was seated in the Adani Pavillion while Axar's sister-in-law Janki, his nephew, Rudra and a few of their neighbours were seated near the dressing room area.

Kapil Dev impressed by Motera's Hall of Fame India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev was at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Day One of the fourth Test on Thursday.

It is learnt that Kapil was supposed to make it to the newly-inaugurated stadium for the last match but before he could arrive on the third day, the Test ended on Day Two, forcing him to cancel his plan. Kapil had a brief look at the stadium's Hall of Fame and was impressed before making his way to the VIP box.

Kapil has happy memories of this ground. In 1994, he claimed his 432nd Test wicket [Sri Lanka's Hashan Tillakaratne] to go past Richard Hadlee's tally and become the highest wicket-taker.

Guards instructed not to touch the ball

There is strict protocol in place to maintain the bio-secure bubble for the players here. As per this, whenever the ball crosses the boundary line, the guards manning the fence are not permitted to touch the ball. So, each time the ball crosses the boundary rope, it's the fielders who have to go and bring it back.

"We have been strictly instructed not to touch the ball at any time," said a security guard stationed near the Reliance pavilion.

The security guards at the fence have also been instructed to be more vigilant after one spectator jumped on to the ground during the day-night Test, threatening to breach the bio-bubble.