Axar admits changed approach helped him score match-winning fifty vs England

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All-rounder Axar Patel said his half-century in India’s match-winning chase against England in the opening ODI was a result of his renewed focus on timing after trying to hit too hard during a barren T20 run against the same opposition. 

Axar displayed all-round brilliance, taking four wickets in his 9.5 overs before scoring a match-winning 52-ball 57.

The visitors won the match by four wickets with 28 deliveries remaining, chasing down a target of 259. Captain Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a brilliant 80, while Washington Sundar contributed a vital 52.

“It was very important for me to deliver this kind of performance. As for my mindset, I needed to keep at it. I had to stay focused rather than thinking it would just happen on its own. I had to have self-belief and execute my plans. I feel like I was trying to hit the ball too hard during the T20Is,” Axar told JioStar.

“When you go in to bat in the death overs, you don’t have any other option but to go for big shots, but I was losing my shape a little. So, when I went in to bat in this game, obviously after we got a great start, I just wanted to build a partnership,” he added.

The 32-year-old had managed only 19 runs during the T20 series, which saw India suffer a 0-4 series loss.

“I wasn’t trying to hit the ball too hard because I knew I had time and could afford to take a few balls as well. I was focusing on my timing. On this kind of wicket, it is very important to trust the bounce. Once you start reading it well, I think you can score runs,” he said.

Axar Patel hails the impact of senior players

When asked about the re-entry of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul into the squad, Axar said that their experience creates a composed dressing room environment.

“Obviously, we have been playing alongside each other for a long time. Over time, you form a strong camaraderie, and that brings a sense of confidence because we have won a lot of matches together, and we”ve lost a few as well. But that confidence is there because everyone knows their roles and what they need to do. There is unity, the team gels well together, and you can see that on the field too, with the banter and fun everyone was having. It creates a very relaxed atmosphere,” he said.

(With inputs from ANI)

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