Mind is clearer now than ever before: Axar Patel

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is feeling more confident than ever before. Patel has had his moments of success in his career thus far. In the sporadic appearances that he has made for the national side, he has come up with good performances occasionally. However, consistency has been an issue for the young man from Gujarat. In a recent conversation with the Mumbai Mirror, he spoke on how working with different people has helped him. Patel credited his success to quite a few people.

Axar is known for hitting big shots. His exploits in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab is well known. Team India batting coach Sanjay Bangar had a word of advice for Patel. Bangar rightly spoke to him about the need to focus on timing. Bangar told Patel that it is not always necessary to hit the big shots to carve your way out. “You don’t need to hit every shot that hard. Think runs. Focus on timing,” batting coach Sanjay Bangar had tipped Patel.

Axar Patel’s plays for Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. His captain at the state team Parthiv Patel ha also helped him to bat sensibly in the lower order. Parthiv advised him to bat till the end and finish matches for the team. No wonder, Axar has a clear frame of mind now. He does not overthink the situation now.

“My mind is clearer now than before.  Earlier, I’d think too much about what I must do, but not anymore,” quoted the Gujarat all-rounder.

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His mentor at Kings XI Punjab, Virender Sehwag, seems to have had the biggest imprint on his playing style. Patel revealed that Sehwag had advised him to review his own bowling. Sehwag cited that it is not always necessary to do things that you are not good at.

“He (Sehwag) asked me to do my own bowling analysis after every game. He wanted me to understand if my bowling style has changed over the years. Since every bowler is unique, he stressed that I shouldn’t ache to be what I am not. He felt I must not stress over deceiving batsmen in flight or change my trajectory too often, which is not my style anyway,” said Axar Patel.

Speaking in his defense of not making a mark with the bat, Patel said the lower order batting position is unusual. He feels that when a batsman bats in the lower order, he gets confused whether to save the wicket or go for the big shots. “When you bat in the lower middle-order, you do get indecisive. You aren’t sure whether to hit or guard your wicket. That’s the reason I haven’t been able to prove myself,” remarked Patel.