Axar Patel registers most expensive spell of T20 career as England batters run riot in Southampton

India all-rounder Axar Patel endured the most expensive spell of his T20 career during the fifth and final T20I against England at the Rose Bowl, conceding 63 runs in his four overs as Jos Buttler and Harry Brook tore apart the visitors' bowling attack.Axar's figures of 0/63 are now the joint second-most expensive by an Indian bowler in T20 internationals. Only Prasidh Krishna's 0/68 against Australia in Guwahati in 2023 was costlier. Yuzvendra Chahal had also conceded 63 against South Africa in Centurion in 2018, while Varun Chakravarthy leaked 64 against England earlier this year at the Wankhede Stadium.

The outing was also Axar's most expensive spell across all T20 cricket, surpassing every one of his previous 319 bowling innings in the format.England's batters left little room for recovery after Phil Salt's early dismissal. Buttler and captain Harry Brook stitched together a stunning 233-run partnership for the second wicket, the highest stand for any wicket in men's T20 internationals.Brook took the attack to Axar in particular, using his footwork brilliantly against the left-arm spinner. He repeatedly charged down the track and cleared the ropes with ease, including two sixes in the 10th over that went for 25 runs, shifting the momentum decisively in England's favour.

Buttler, meanwhile, produced one of the finest innings of his T20I career, smashing 131 off 64 balls with 12 fours and eight sixes. Brook narrowly missed out on a century, finishing unbeaten on 95 off 45 deliveries, as England piled up 257/3 in their 20 overs.India's bowlers had no answers as Prince Yadav conceded 60 runs, while debutant Suryansh Shedge, drafted in after Harshit Rana's injury, leaked 39 from three overs. The one-sided assault left skipper Shreyas Iyer with few options as England finished with one of their highest-ever T20I totals and underlined their dominance in the series.