Axar Patel, lost amidst established names and IPL stars, the quiet, underrated impact player of Team India during World T20 Championship triumph

India ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought by winning their second ICC T20 World Cup title, beating South Africa in a thrilling, pulsating and title-clinching clash by seven runs and becoming the first team to lift the trophy unbeaten. During this memorable eight-match winning streak, many Indian superstars emerged. While all-time greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepped up to the plate at the most important time out of habit, some future legends of the game like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav etc. also made notable contributions, be it a hard-hitting knock or a game-changing wicket/catch. While big names like Virat, Rohit, Bumrah, Hardik and Suryakumar enjoyed the most hype, social media noise and imagery thanks to their star power and successful franchise careers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), there was one name that silently made one of the biggest impacts ever recorded by a player in an ICC tournament, Axar Patel, one of India’s spin bowling all-rounders.

In eight matches and five innings, Axar finished with 92 runs at an average of 23.00 and a strike rate of 139.39, with the highest score of 47. He also took nine wickets at an average of 19.22 and an economy rate of 7.86, with best numbers of 3/23. Although these numbers may seem very ordinary on paper, you really have to look beyond them, at the crucial moments where Axar made a decisive impact.

Here’s a look at some notable contributions from Axar in the tournament: -Against Pakistan: In the much-hyped match against their arch rivals at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York, India were reeling at 19/2 in 2.4 overs after Rohit and Virat was dismissed cheaply. It was his partnership with Rishabh Pant that helped India turn around. Axar unleashed a few big shots and stood steady for a while to let Pant survey the pitch, take calculated risks and ultimately go big. This brief partnership of 38 runs gave some momentum to the match. Axar scored 20 in 18 balls, with two fours and a six. India reached 119 on a difficult and unpredictable surface. While defending the total, Axar’s dismissal of Usman Khan and the end of a 31-run partnership with Mohammed Rizwan started Pakistan’s downward spiral in the second half of the innings. He ended up with figures of 1/11 in two overs.

-Against Afghanistan: Aiming for a big total after batting first on a Barbados batter-friendly pitch, Axar slammed two useful fours in the final over which resulted in 14 runs and gave India a winning total of 181/8. Axar made a useful 12 from six balls. He also unleashed a stranglehold on Afghanistan, taking 1/15 in three overs as India won by 47 runs. -Against Australia: During this must-win competition of the Super Eights stage, both from a points table perspective and psychologically, Axar made a vital contribution as a bowler and fielder. Chasing the 206 set by India after skipper Rohit Sharma’s explosive 92 in 41 balls, Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head unleashed a fearsome counter-attack after David Warner’s quick dismissal, setting up a partnership of 81 runs in 48 balls. Axar held his nerve to get a decisive catch at deep square leg to dismiss Marsh. Later, when the Australian middle order tried to take on the Indian spinners, Axar dismissed a dangerous and scorching Marcus Stoinis for just two runs and left Australia in a tight spot at 135/4 in 14.1 overs . Axar finished with figures of 1/21 in three overs.

– Against England: In the semi-final, Axar stepped up his game again, playing a small 10-run stand in six balls, including a one-handed six to increase the run rate in the death overs. While defending a tough 172, Axar had skipper Jos Buttler caught by Pant when he was looking threatening, ending a brief but strong 26-run stand with Phil Salt. He later piled more pressure on England by dismissing Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, reducing them to 46/4. England were bowled out for 103 in 16.4 overs and Axar took 3/23 in four overs. – Against South Africa: In the final: India found themselves facing the ghosts of past ICC tournament failures at 34/3. Promoted to number five, Axar wasted no time in letting his arms go, allowing the struggling and off-course Virat Kohli to take his time to settle in and not worry about his scoring rate. Axar made 47 in 31 balls, with a four and four sixes at a strike rate of over 151, with a 72-run fourth-wicket stand with Virat. India made 176/7 in their 20 overs.

Defending the total, the pair of Tristan Stubbs and Quinton de Kock looked dangerous after quick dismissals from Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram, developing a half-century stand. It was Axar who broke this first major partnership for the Proteas by removing Stubbs. Although Klaasen then dismantled Axar with some good shots later and almost won for the Proteas, no one can really take away from Axar the impactful time he had with the bat and a crucial wicket of Stubbs. As the match approached, India won the toss and elected to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with a four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India’s position in the match . A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.

Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were SA’s best bowlers. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram each took a wicket. In the 177-run chase, Proteas were reduced to 12/2, then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls , with three fours and a six) brought SA back into the game. A half-century from Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/20), Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) and Hardik (3/20) made a fine comeback in the death overs, keeping SA at 169/8 in their 20 overs.

Virat was voted ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. By winning their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India ended their ICC trophy drought. (ANI)

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