New Delhi: India’s new T20I vice-captain Axar Patel acknowledges that the team is in transition so it is essential for players like him to focus on performing to their potential to become a consistent face in the team.
Having turned 31 on Monday, the left-arm spin bowling all-rounder is aware that after years of being understudy to Ravindra Jadeja, he might be in a position to claim his spot.
But for that he has to put up consistent performances after spending most of his 11-year career on the fringes, taking 184 wickets all three formats.
Being appointed the vice captain to Rohit Sharma will surely act as a motivating factor, Axal said.
“Yes, a transition phase is coming, and ultimately, it’s the selectors’ and captain’s call. I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone,” Axar said.
“My approach is to focus on fulfilling the role assigned to me and continuously improving myself. If I perform well, my place in the team will take care of itself automatically.”
‘Make most of opportunity’
Though he has mostly been viewed as a white-ball operator, Axar believes he can excel as an all-format player but needs to seize every opportunity he gets.
“I just keep telling myself that I have played all three formats be it Tests, ODIs, or T20s. My focus is on doing well whenever I get an opportunity, rather than feeling the need to prove anything to anyone, whether I’m picked or not,” he said.
“I don’t take the pressure of thinking that I deserve a spot. It is always about the team combination and whether there is any room for me.”
Hence rather than getting disappointed at being overlooked for the Border-Gavaskar series away in Australia, he prepared himself for the T20I series in South Africa where he played in all the matches.
“When it comes to selection or the Australia series, I think more about where I can get opportunities rather than whether I deserve a place,” the left armer said.
“It’s all part of a cricketer’s journey — only 15 players can be in the squad and you can’t take your place for granted. I don’t think in those terms.”
Axal Patel said being appointed the vice captain of the Indian team will act as a motivating factor for him in the forthcoming T20I series against England Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
