Axar Patel unveils tactics that fueled crucial knock in the T20 World Cup final
Promoted up the order after an early stumble in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final, all-rounder Axar Patel went on to play an important knock that guided India to a winning total.
Axar walked in at number five, with India at a precarious 34/3 in Barbados last month in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final. However, his knock helped form a crucial 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli, and helped India fight back against South Africa in the final.
In an interview with Cricbuzz.com, Axar reminiscenced the hectic mood in the Indian camp behind the scenes after India had lost Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant within the first two overs.
“Rohit bhai was standing beside me when Rishabh Pant got out,” Axar said, recalling the incident.
“He told me ‘Axar pads pehen le’ [Axar, pad up]. After that (Yuzvendra) Chahal came running to tell me that Rahul (Dravid) bhai wants me to pad up [too]. When I was padding up I did not know what to do.
“We were two wickets down and I had still not analysed the pitch. Next, I saw Suryakumar (Yadav) also got out. Things happened so suddenly that I did not have time to think.”
However, Axar got much-needed assurance from all-rounder Hardik Pandya before he walked out.
“When I was going down the staircase, Hardik told me in Gujarati not to take any stress. 'Just watch the ball and hit the ball,' he said and it stuck with me.
“I hit a boundary off the first ball I faced. I became very confident. I spoke to Virat bhai and he kept guiding me. He said, ‘I'm there. If you think that you can hit, then go for it.’ The constant communication was helpful. The rest is history.”
After taking 3/23 (4) to put India in the driver's seat in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final against England, Axar Patel's performance is marked with the Player of the Match award.
The move to send Axar up the order wasn’t deployed for the first time in the final. The all-rounder had experienced a similar scenario when India took on Pakistan during their group game in New York.
In that match, Axar walked in at 19/2, and stitched a crucial stand with Rishabh Pant, adding 20 runs in a stand of 39, which helped India post a good total.
“Before the match, I was told that I may have to bat early if there are early wickets. At that time I was nervous. In the nets, I did not practise with the new ball and suddenly I was having to play in Powerplay,”
Looking back at his knock, Axar credited his time with Delhi Capitals in the IPL. “My IPL experience came in handy and it made me feel positive.”
On a slow wicket, Axar tried to take the Pakistan attack heads on, and hit three boundaries during his brisk knock. The batter’s positive intent was informed by playing to the situation.
“I had to be positive and not worry about who would be bowling to me. I was not trying to overthink. And I knew that I had the game to play according to the situation. I just wanted to stay in the present. That worked for me against Pakistan.”
The all-rounder, who also made several contributions with the ball during India’s successful run, believed that high-pressure situations brought out the best in him.
“It's all about mindset. When there is pressure, I don't get fazed. I stay calm, think about the game, and handle myself accordingly.
“The key is staying in the present. It's not easy, but I focus on the immediate task at hand: which bowler I'm facing and what the situation demands. I don't get double-minded.”
Axar is a part of both the ODI and T20I squads for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in July.