Axar Patel reflects on batting at No. 4 in crucial T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan

Axar Patel was unexpectedly promoted to number four in the batting order against Pakistan after India found themselves struggling at 19/2 in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024.

With India batting first, they faced significant pressure following the early dismissals of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

In a surprising move, Axar was sent in ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube. Despite the pressure, Axar scored 20 runs off 18 balls and formed a vital 37-run partnership with Rishabh Pant, which helped India recover from their early setbacks.

Axar shared that he was nervous about batting at number four in such a high-stakes match. He had discussed with the team management beforehand that he might be promoted if early wickets fell, but he didn't anticipate this happening in a critical game against Pakistan.

“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 was quoted as saying by India Today.

“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 overthink. 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,” he added.

India eventually defeated Pakistan by six runs and went on to lift the trophy in Barbados against South Africa.