'Don't feel the need to prove anything to anyone' - Axar Patel exudes confidence in himself ahead of England series

Team India are set to host England in an eight-match white-ball series (five T20Is, three ODIs), which will mark their preparation for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy. The 15-member squads for the respective series were recently revealed by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, where Axar Patel was named as the vice-captain for the T20I series, deputy to Suryakumar Yadav.

Axar was one of the members named in both the squads. Addressing the media ahead of the opening T20I of the series, the Gujarat all-rounder spoke on his role in the team and his temperament going into the series.

"Yes, a transitional phase is coming, but ultimately, it's the selectors' and captain's decision. I don't feel the need to prove anything to anyone. My focus is on fulfilling the role assigned to me and consistently improving. If I perform well, my place in the team will take care of itself," stated Axar during the pre-series press conference on Monday, January 20.

He further elaborated on his team-centric thought process while representing the nation. The cricketer further mentioned that he will keep getting chances as long as he fits in the team combination for any match.

"I remind myself that I’ve played all three formats - Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. My focus is on performing whenever opportunities come my way, rather than worrying about proving myself or whether I get picked. I don't feel pressured by the thought of deserving a spot. It's always about the team combination and whether there's a place for me." added Axar.

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More about where I can contribute: Axar

The all-rounder, who represents Delhi Capitals in the IPL, further shed light on his priorities while putting in the hard yards ahead of any series.

"When it comes to selection, I think more about where I can contribute rather than whether I deserve to be in the squad. It's part of a cricketer’s journey - only 15 players can make the squad, and no one's place is guaranteed," noted Axar.

The star cricketer also underscored the coaching staff's duties and the fact that they were prompt in addressing issues and offering solutions.

"Since I wasn’t with the team for the past two and a half months, I don’t have much insight into what happened in Australia. The support staff’s approach has been consistent - they provide the necessary inputs based on bowling and batting roles. T20 is a fast-paced format, so it’s more about making the right decisions and understanding specific roles. Communication in this regard has been very clear," he concluded. 

Notably, Axar last played for the national setup during the South Africa tour. Since then, he has been a part of Gujarat in their Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophy campaigns. After the England series, he will also travel to Dubai with the Indian team for the Champions Trophy 2025.