After impressing with ball, Axar's hidden batting talent comes to fore

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, India coach Gautam Gambhir had highlighted the value of having the option of Axar Patel at No.5 in the batting line-up.

- Sanjeev K Samyal

There was a debate whether the position was a bit too high for the Gujarat all-rounder. For the team management, however, Axar provided the flexibility.

The southpaw has come to Dubai and continued to impress. The advantage is his ability to play as per the situation, if the team has lost wickets and is under pressure he consolidates.

In the tough group game against New Zealand, when India collapsed to 30/3, he joined Shreyas Iyer to add 98 runs and contribute towards India reaching a decent total of 249/9. In the semi-final, against Australia, in the tough chase, he chipped in with a useful 27 off 30 balls at No.5 to underline his value in batting.

He has the knack of lifting his performances in big games. In the 2024 T20 World Cup final, against South Africa in Barbados, and in a tight game, when India were struggling at 34/3, Axar had come up with a 31-ball 47 (SR 151.61) to help lift the side.