I would want to continue performing like this for my team: Axar Patel

Axar Patel grabbed the spotlight and won millions of hearts when he hit the six in the final over against West Indies to finish the game off in style. The hosts put visitors India into trouble when the bowlers picked the in-form Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson, but Patel’s unbeaten knock of a 35-ball 64 runs, and the final over six to finish the 312-run chase won India the ODI series.

The two teams will clash again for the series finale, that is the third ODI, at the same venue – Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad – and all eyes will be on Axar Patel. The Indian lineup missed the services of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the first game as he was ruled out due to a knee injury. While it was Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammed Siraj who majorly handled the job in the first fixture, Patel took the charge in the second game.

“I think this is a special one. It came at a crucial time and also helped the team to win the series. We have done the same in the IPL. We just needed to remain calm and keep the intensity up. I was playing an ODI after close to 5 years. I would want to continue performing like this for my team,” said Patel in post-match presentation.

In a conversation with The Times of India, Axar Patel’s close friend Vijay Patel, who was also the coach when the former made his debut for Gujarat, said:

Axar Patel is a typical Nadiad boy, he never feels pressure: Vijay Patel

“Axar is a typical Nadiad boy. He never feels pressure. Small-town kids are tough, fearless people. I have known him since his under-16 days for Gujarat. He’s very focused and mentally relaxed. Success or the India cap hasn’t changed him. He’s still very humble. We spoke today. He was really happy. He’s enjoying his life and cricket. He’s such a jovial character that the dressing room atmosphere is different when he’s around. He makes other players enjoy with him.”

Axar Patel has made the most of his opportunities considering that he only gets the chance when Ravindra Jadeja, who has the same professional skill, isn’t available. That can’t be simple, especially in light of the fact that he has occasionally played for India, at times going entire tours without seeing action. But nevertheless, he is unaffected by the circumstance.

“Sometime back, there was a phase when Jadeja was doing so well that Axar almost seemed forgotten. However, he seemed completely relaxed about it. ‘Don’t worry sir. Aage dekh lenge (we’ll see in the future)’ he told me. He wasn’t feeling any pressure. It doesn’t make a difference to him if Jadeja is around or not. He’s only focused on his own performance. As I said earlier, he’s just relaxed and enjoying his game. It’s this attitude which helps him keep performing well,” Vijay Patel added.