The Indian spinners had a terrific day in the office on Saturday as they derailed New Zealand’s first innings and gave India a handy lead, coming into the final two days of the match of the Kanpur Test.

While all three spinners bowled beautifully and troubled the Kiwis batters, Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin were the pick of the bowlers, picking up five and three wickets respectively.

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Despite playing alongside two of the world’s best spinners, Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Axar was able to leave his mark. Playing only his fourth Test match, the left-arm orthodox has picked up five five-four, so far.

The way Axar bowled throughout the day left Ashwin mighty impressed, and after the stumps, he asked the left-arm spinner from Gujarat to reveal his bowling secret and what made him more reflective than the other bowlers.

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In reply, he took a cheeky dig at the senior fellow and his traditional bowling method and said that "main jyada ungali nahi marta aapki tarah", before adding that he would have to restrict the use of his fingers in order to bowl like him. 

His reply made Ashwin and KS Bharat, who was also part of the interview, laugh their hearts out. Watch the full interview here.

Special: @ashwinravi99 takes centre stage to interview Mr. Fifer @akshar2026 & Super sub @KonaBharat.

You don't want to miss this rendezvous with the #TeamIndia trio after Day 3 of the Kanpur Test. - By @28anand

Full interview #INDvNZ @Paytm https://t.co/KAycXfmiJG pic.twitter.com/jZcAmU41Nf

“Uske liye aapko ye karna padega ke bas jyada ungli nahi marni hai. Aap jyada spin karate ho na to batsman beat ho jaata hai. [To bowl like me, you shouldn’t roll your fingers much. Because you spin deliveries a lot, that’s why it beats the batter's outside edge],” said Axar, when asked to reveal his bowling method.

“You spin the ball too much and that's why it beats the batsman. My ball doesn't turn that much. It turns a little so it is enough to take the edge,” he added.

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Axar was introduced into the attack last by skipper Ajinkya Rahane but he bowled some impressive spells and picked the crucial wickets of Tom Latham, Ros Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell and Tim Southee to complete yet another five-wicket haul in his short Test career.

Axar made his Test debut in a home series against England earlier this year in the absence of Jadeja who was out with injury. In just three matches, he pulled off 27 dismissals and played a key role as India came from behind to clinch the series 3-1.

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After Jadeja made a comeback to the side after recovering from his injury, many people had doubts whether Axar would still start for India in the home Test. 

With his performance, he has proven that he can not only start but also outshine experienced spinners.

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