Champions Trophy: Axar Patel Reflects On Batting Growth After Win Against New Zealand

March 3, 2025: After India’s impressive victory over New Zealand in the group stage match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, star all-rounder Axar Patel credited his improved batting performance to his experience in the 2023-24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Axar Patel played a vital role with both bat and ball in the match. Coming in at a critical juncture with India struggling at 30/3 in the first innings, he formed a crucial 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer. Axar scored a valuable 42 runs off 61 balls, including three fours and a six, before being dismissed. He also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket and conceding just 32 runs in his 10-over spell in the second innings.

Reflecting on his evolving batting, Axar said, “I think when you get an opportunity, you can look at the situation and do your batting. That’s what I am doing. When I get an opportunity, I try to do my batting according to the team’s need and situation.”

He added, “Earlier, when I used to come down the order, I had to make runs quickly. But now, I know there are more batsmen behind me, so I can play according to the situation. When I bat higher up, it also depends on the situation. I know I have more time, so I can take my time and play according to what the team needs.”

Axar credited his performance in the 2023-24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia for his improvement. He recalled, “I think after my BGT 2023-24 performance, my batting improved. The confidence from the West Indies ODIs in 2022 helped me realize that I could finish games. Earlier, I was working hard, but it wasn’t clicking, and I was putting too much pressure on myself. I then realized that playing freely was the key, and when you’re confident, you don’t overthink.”

In the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Axar scored three half-centuries and finished third on the highest run-scorers list with 264 runs, behind Usman Khawaja (333 runs) and Virat Kohli (297 runs). He also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets in the series.

Axar’s all-round form has been evident in recent ODI series as well. During the ODI series against the West Indies in 2022, he scored 85 runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.78, with his best score being 64*. In the ODI series against England, Axar scored an invaluable 52 off 47 balls in one match and an unbeaten 41 in another.

As Axar continues to show strong form, particularly when batting at number 5, he has become an important player for India in various formats. Since 2016, Axar has batted at number five on seven occasions, scoring 227 runs at a strike rate of 90.43 and an average of 37.83, with one half-century and a best score of 52.

His improved batting and all-round contributions have made him a key figure in India’s success in the ongoing Champions Trophy.