Raina also laid emphasis on how Kuldeep Yadav could be a lynchpin in India's success.
Axar also patted fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy (5/42) for coming up with a match-winning spell.
Shreyas Iyer has consistently excelled with the bat in knockout matches in white ball cricket across formats.
On field Axar bhai is very motivated, off field the funniest guy to be around: Abhishek Porel
Carrying momentum is important, says Gill after GT qualify for IPL playoffs
A full-strength Punjab Kings will fancy their chances of securing their first top-two finish in 11 years, when they face Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
Rahul expertly rotated the strike, absorbed pressure, and provided guidance to Gill as he neared his century.
An out of sorts Rohit Sharma will strive to keep himself relevant going forward in the Indian Premier League when he is challenged by Delhi Capitals' effective troika of spinners in Mumbai Indians' next match in Delhi on Sunday.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad, on Monday.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 55.
Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel smashed half-centuries as India defeated England by four wickets in the first One-Day International in Nagpur.
India's spinners were the key architects of the bowling performance. Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) were the standout performers, while Jadeja (1/30) and Axar Patel (0/29 in 8 overs) kept the pressure on with their economical spells.
K L Rahul's impeccable 93 not out off 53 deliveries propelled Delhi Capitals to an emphatic six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru, on Thursday, April 10 2025.
With this whimsical-yet-wired addition, the IPL is not just pushing the envelope -- it's rewriting the whole playbook. Who says tech can't be fun?
'My strength is to bowl wicket-to-wicket and not give batsmen room,' says the destroyer-in-chief of the England innings.
Although India are playing a strong brand of 50-overs' cricket of late, they have some selection riddles to solve before they face Bangladesh in their opening match of the Champions Trophy.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for their first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday?
Here's a closer look at the standout performances of the DC vs SRH match.
With their respective leaders switching camps and squads undergoing major overhauls, both Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, under new captains, will be eager to make a strong start to their IPL campaign when they face off in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
In a format often dominated by innovation and brute force, Gujarat Titans' Subhman Gill and Sai Sudharsan once again reminded the fans that proper cricketing shots still thrive in the hustle of modern T20 cricket.
It is understood that Yashasvi Jaiswal has a bright chance of making it to the ODI squad. His inclusion would ensure a left-handed batter in the top four.
'You are creating insecurity, which, at some stage, will come back and hurt you.'
Group A winners India will take on World champions Australia in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Former India spinner R Ashwin has called for a shift away from the superstar culture prevalent in Indian cricket, urging for a more grounded approach.
India began their Champions Trophy campaign with a six-wicket victory against Bangladesh after opener Shubman Gill anchored their nervy chase with a classy hundred.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between India and Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Thursday.
The reaction probably stemmed out of RCB not signing him at the mega auction despite the batter showing interest in rejoining the franchise.
K L Rahul stroked a fluent half-century as a dominant Delhi Capitals outclassed Chennai Super Kings by 25 runs.
A dejected Rishabh Pant sounded hardly convincing as he explained the rationale behind coming in to bat as low as No 7 against Delhi Capitals.
In a high-pressure clash against India in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, Steve Smith seemed to have destiny on his side.
KL Rahul, the stylish Indian batter, has been performing consistently regardless of his batting position.
They will meet the winner of Wednesday's second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
Shubman Gill, who has been India's stand out batter in the tournament, was the only one who did not turn up for practice.
Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Mohit Sharma feels the return of saliva to shine the ball and the option of a ball change in the second innings have provided much-needed relief for bowlers in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL).
Suryakumar Yadav's doughty 73 not out proved to be the difference as Mumbai Indians sealed the fourth and final play-off berth with a 59-run trouncing of Delhi Capitals.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji check out who could be the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2025 before the final.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I played between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Despite enduring severe cramps that had him hopping in pain and necessitated physio attention, Gill played a key role in anchoring India's chase on a tricky, two-paced surface at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 68.