'We were awestruck' - Axar Patel recalls his and Jasprit Bumrah's reaction after joining star-studded MI team in IPL 2013

After consistent contributions, hard work, and dedication, Axar Patel has made his name in international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the last few years. In the IPL 2021, he picked up 15 wickets in 12 appearances for Delhi Capitals (DC) and was one of the 4 retentions of the franchise ahead of the 2022 mega auction. The all-rounder recalled the story of Bumrah and him sharing the dressing room with Mumbai Indians (MI) in their debut IPL season.

Axar Patel and the fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah were picked by Mumbai Indians ahead of the IPL 2013 season. Axar was chosen due to his impressive performances in the U19 domestic circuit, while MI head coach John Wright was a man behind Bumrah’s call up to the squad, after seeing his pace and accuracy in the domestic match for Gujarat. Axar Patel revealed the feeling of both the players after sharing the dressing room with the players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and other players in the MI team.

“There was Rohit Bhai, Sachin sir and all other legends were in the team. Me and Jasprit Bumrah were awestruck, and wonder all the big stars we used to see on TV are standing now in front of us, what should we do,” he said on Breakfast with Champions show.

He further went on to add the reaction of both of them after being allotted the room by MI team management and were shocked to see their clothes, kitbag, and traveling bag put together in the right manner. “We went mad after seeing the room for the first time. Our clothes, kitbag, and traveling bag are all kept ready. We were coming from Ranji trophy level to IPL, and for the first 5-10 mins, we looked at each other and thought this is on another level,” Axar added.

Chahal and I were the fixed 12th and 13th man for MI: Axar Patel

Axar Patel also remembered the funny story of Yuzvendra Chahal being the 12th man, and him as the 13th man for the MI team in the 2013 season. Although the southpaw didn’t get any game under his belt, Chahal featured in a single match of the edition, where MI went on to lift their first-ever title.

“I was on the bench for the 1 year I was in Mumbai Indians team. I wasn’t in the first playing XI that would be made, first it was decided that the 12th man was Chahal and the 13th was Axar Patel. So the 12th and 13th men of the team were fixed. I and Chahal would always discuss, even if no one else is there, our spot is fixed,” Axar added.