From floater to finisher, numbers tell Axar Patel’s struggles with the bat
When India were reduced to 34/3 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at Barbados, staring at the prospect of a below-par total, an unlikely firefighter walked into the blaze. Axar Patel, promoted to No. 5, produced one of the defining knocks of the final. His 47 off 31 balls helped wrest back control with a priceless partnership with Virat Kohli and laid the platform for India’s eventual triumph. The innings was no accident. Speaking to The Indian Express after the win, Axar recalled the clarity of Rahul Dravid’s message before he walked out. “Whenever I went out to bat at 4 or 5 in the final, Rahul bhai has given me clear instructions that I don’t need to slog. I must play my game and stick around. I had the belief that if the ball was in my area, I would go for my shots,” he said. With batting stretching till No. 8, India’s think tank wanted him to absorb the pressure and take calculated risks rather than chase quick runs or force the …









