New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has a knack for taking wickets at crucial moments and also has a great ability to score some runs down the order. He was India’s valuable player in the successful T20 World Cup campaign.
Axar did well throughout the tournament but his expensive over in the final almost cost the game to India. But the all-rounder praised the Indian captain for his support. He said that Rohit didn’t had any set formula and he is a brilliant captain.
“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,” Axar Patel told Cricbuzz.
He also said that Rohit thinks strategically in different positions and then decides which player would perform best.
“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,” he added.
‘You bowled your best’: Rohit Sharma’s words to Axar Patel after 24-run over
In the 15th over of the final, Heinrich Klaasen smacked Axar Patel for 24 runs and took South Africa close to winning the T20 World Cup. The left-arm spinner gave away 49 runs and took one wicket in the final.
Axar revealed that Rohit motivated him after the expensive over and said that if Klaasen hits a good shot there’s nothing much a bowler can do.
“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’,” recalled Axar.
He also revealed that Rohit’s encouragement boosted his confidence “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,” he added.
Both Rohit and Axar are part of India’s white-ball tour against Sri Lanka. Rohit retired from T20 internationals and will be leading the team in the ODI series.
All-rounder Axar Patel praised Rohit Sharma and revealed the captain’s words after Klaasen smashed him for 24 runs in the T20 World Cup final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
