When there is pressure, I don't get fazed: Axar Patel

India used Axar Patel as a floater in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. The left-hander was promoted to No.4 in the group-stage game against Pakistan and responded with a handy knock of 20 off 18 deliveries. However, it was his knock in the grand finale against South Africa that earned him a lot of praise.

The Men in Blue were 34/3 in 4.3 overs when Axar walked out to bat. The 30-year-old put on a 72-run stand with Virat Kohli who played the second fiddle in the partnership. The left-handed batter smashed four maximums and a four in his 31-ball 47 and took pressure off Kohli, allowing him to play the anchor.

“Against Pakistan, I was sent up the order. Before the match, I was told that I may have to bat early if there are early wickets. At that time I was nervous. In the nets, I did not practise with the new ball and suddenly I was having to play in powerplay. My IPL experience came in handy and it made me feel positive. For Delhi Capitals I batted a few times in the powerplay overs and played a few crucial knocks too,” Axar told Cricbuzz.

“That helped me understand what to do in those situations. I had to be positive and not worry about who would be bowling to me. I was not trying to over think. And I knew that I had the game to play according to the situation. I just wanted to stay in the present. That worked for me against Pakistan.”

Talking about his match-winning knock in the final, Axar said: “Rohit bhai was standing beside me when Rishabh Pant got out. He told me 'Axar pads pehen le'. After that (Yuzvendra) Chahal came running to tell me that Rahul (Dravid) Bhai wants me to pad up. When I was padding up I did not know what to do. We were two wickets down and I had still not analysed the pitch. Next I saw Suryakumar (Yadav) also got out. Things happened so suddenly that I did not have time to think. 

“When I was going down the staircase, Hardik told me in Gujarati not to take any stress. 'Just watch the ball and hit the ball,' he said and it stuck with me. I hit a boundary off the first ball I faced. I became very confident. I spoke to Virat bhai and he kept guiding me. He said, 'I'm there. If you think that you can hit, then go for it.’ The constant communication was helpful. The rest is history.”

Axar said he enjoys playing in high-pressure situations. “I feel that high-pressure situations suit me; maybe they align with my personality. When I'm sent in under pressure, I think I handle myself well. Such situations seem to bring out the best in me. If you look at my career over the past year and a half, I've performed well in all the pressure situations. 

“I've bowled in the powerplay and secured breakthroughs, whether in the World Cup or bilateral games. Two years ago, I played an innings against the West Indies where we needed about 100 runs in 10 overs, and I finished the match. After the World Cup last year, we played five T20Is against Australia, and I batted ahead of most players and also broke partnerships.

“It's all about mindset. When there is pressure, I don't get fazed. I stay calm, think about the game, and handle myself accordingly. The key is staying in the present. It's not easy, but I focus on the immediate task at hand: which bowler I'm facing and what the situation demands. I don't get double-minded.”

Not just with the bat, Axar also picked up crucial wickets for India. The left-arm spinner claimed nine wickets at an average of 19.2 and an economy rate of 7.9. His best bowling performance came in the semi-final against England, where he picked up 3/23. He first dismissed Jos Buttler who was looking in great hitting form and then got rid of Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow. 

“In the USA, conditions weren't favorable for spinners; they were seam-friendly. So, I had to push the ball very hard. Floating the ball in the air was out of question. I had to be very accurate, bowling stump to stump, which is also my strength. The wind was a crucial factor, both in the US and the West Indies. I had to be aware of where I could bowl and where to release the ball, varying my bowling depending on whether I was bowling with or against the wind. I planned accordingly.

“In the West Indies, the wickets were very slow, with low bounce on some grounds. The conditions varied from venue to venue. In the game against Australia in St. Lucia, the wicket was good, and one side was windy, so most of the runs came from that side. I bowled according to my plan and the batsmen. In the powerplay, I had to be very consistent with my line and length. After the field restrictions were over, I would start varying my pace.

“When we played against England, I knew the ball was going to do something. Their part-time bowlers were hard for our batsmen to hit. I realized that if we bowled in good areas, they wouldn't be able to hit us either. We didn't have to do much because it was a tricky pitch. The batsmen couldn't hit on the rise. I didn't need to change my bowling; I just focused on good areas. I got rewards from the first ball, and there was no stopping us.”

Axar also lavished praise on Rohit Sharma's leadership skills, describing him as a "brilliant captain" who excels at bringing out the best in his players. The spin-bowling all-rounder revealed that Rohit's tactical approach and ability to think on his feet made a significant impact on the team's performance. 

“Rohit Sharma is a brilliant captain. If you observed his captaincy during the World Cup, you wouldn't find a set formula. In some games, I bowled two overs in the PowerPlay, while in others, Jasprit Bumrah bowled early. There wasn't a specific pattern. Similarly, in batting, I didn't always move up the order. In the final, Shivam Dube batted ahead of Hardik Pandya. It was all very tactical, showcasing his ability to think strategically in different situations, determining which player would perform best.

“I believe Rohit had done his homework. Throughout the World Cup, he brought out the best in each player. For instance, in the England game, he sent Ravindra Jadeja ahead of me and Dube, displaying an incredible presence of mind. Even in the final, Bumrah completed his overs by the 18th over (normally he bowls the 19th over). There were numerous such instances where his skill in rotating bowlers effectively contributed to the result. It's something that comes with experience I guess. He understands each player's strengths and utilizes them according to the game's demands. Winning five IPL titles isn't coincidental.

“In the final, when Heinrich Klaasen was aggressive against me, Rohit approached me and reassured me, saying, 'It's alright. You bowled your best. If he hits a good shot, there's not much you can do. Just focus on the next ball.' His support and encouragement boosted my confidence. After I completed the over, he tapped my shoulder and said, 'Well done. Don't worry.' Such conversations from your captain lift you and keep you motivated on the field. Rohit excels in providing that kind of support.”

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