NEW DELHI:
Axar Patel
's knack of taking wickets and scoring crucial runs when chips were down for the team made him the most valuable player in India's victorious T20 World Cup campaign.
Axar showcased his all-round abilities during the recent World Cup. He proved to be a valuable asset to the team with his bowling prowess, both in the Powerplay and death overs.
Not only did Axar excel with the ball, but he also made significant contributions with the bat.
Axar played a vital knock of 47 in the final against South Africa. However, his bowling performance was subpar, as
Heinrich Klaasen
took advantage of his deliveries, resulting in Axar conceding 49 runs in his allocated 4 overs.
In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Axar shared his experiences from the match where Klaasen launched a brutal assault on him. The left-arm spinner revealed how captain
Rohit Sharma
played a crucial role in keeping his spirits high, even as Klaasen took him to task.
"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," he told Cricbuzz.
Axar commended Rohit for his shrewd leadership during the T20 World Cup, noting how he effectively managed the team and extracted the best performances from each individual player.
"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," he added.
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