Allrounder Axar Patel has so far batted with the tailenders for the most of his India ODI career, therefore pointing to the team’s use of him as a specialist spinner despite his more than capable hitting ability. No. 303) he hit in the upper-half. 5) during an ODI against New Zealand in Ranchi in 2016, first time ever, he put up a fair 40-ball 38.
Still, before his batting position permanently changed, he was once more ask to the lower half.
Axar has always batted further up in the batting order, even ahead of KL Rahul (in the ongoing Champions Trophy) since India’s ODI series in Sri Lanka last August. He’s also savoring the advancement, saying it affords him more time to display his batting skills.
India was 30/3 off six balls in a Champions Trophy game on Sunday when Axar came in to bat at no. 5 against New Zealand following Virat Kohli’s dislocation.
The 31-year-old created a strong fourth-wicket partnership of 98 runs with Shreyas Iyer to set the foundation for a total that would win the game.
An innings with three boundaries and a six, Axar hit a paced 61-ball 42.
If I get a chance, I make an effort to bat according to the circumstances. The strategy is different now, however. I used to descend early and had to dash about. News agency PTI quoted Axar as saying, “Now I know there are more batsmen above me, so I can play according to that.”
“I recognize that I have plenty of time.” It also depends on the need of the team; so if I feel I must go after the spinner, I adapt and play as if I had a partnership (a 98-run fourth wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer) in this match, and we might have a decent total,” he added.
Previous cases of Axar not being able to get runs meant he was putting himself under more stress, says he.
Nonetheless, his mental attitude shifted after he scored a blistering 35-ball 64* against West Indies in Port of Spain, which aided India in chasing down 312.
I couldn’t click before, and subconsciously I knew I couldn’t display my ability. Axar mentioned, maybe I was under more pressure back then even knowing my ability.
After that West Indies game, I understood I could complete matches. Once I had that self-confidence, I didn’t give it much thought if I wanted to display batting to everybody or not. He said, “I know I have it and can be assured of doing well straight if I give 100 percent.”
