Axar Patel has emerged as one of Indian cricket‘s most reliable performers, demonstrating his ability to thrive under pressure. His recent performance in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Kandy, where he took 2 for 38, highlighted his remarkable growth over the past year. Despite conceding 29 runs in his first three overs, Axar’s final over turned the game on its head, dismissing Pathum Nissanka (79) and Kusal Perera (20), leading to a dramatic collapse as Sri Lanka fell from 140 for 1 to 170 all out.
Learning from Pressure Situations
Reflecting on his development, Axar emphasized the importance of pressure situations in building his confidence. “When you continuously play cricket for India and do well in pressure situations, you gain confidence,” Axar said. “Each time you build on that confidence, you learn. It’s not always about succeeding; sometimes you fail, but those moments teach you what could be done differently.”
Building Confidence Through Experience
Axar’s confidence has grown through his consistent performance in challenging scenarios. “When I do well in those situations, my confidence grows. When similar situations arise, I don’t get bogged down. I focus on my strengths, and that has really helped me,” he continued. “Performing well consistently boosts your confidence. One month ago, I did well in the World Cup, and I’m carrying that confidence forward, reaping its benefits.”
The Turning Point Against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka had the Indian team on the ropes, racing to 140 for 1 in 14 overs while chasing 214. However, Axar felt that India was just one wicket away from triggering a collapse. “While bowling, we realized the wicket improved at night due to moisture and cold weather. Even though they were scoring at 10 an over, we kept talking about how the game was still on and we had a good score on the board,” Axar explained. “We knew that batting would get harder with the older ball, and we felt we were just one wicket away from a potential collapse.”
Tactical Decisions and Changes
The second T20I saw India making strategic changes, with Sanju Samson replacing vice-captain Shubman Gill, who was sidelined due to a neck spasm. India captain Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl first, influenced by the wet weather conditions. Sri Lanka also made a change, bringing in offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis to replace left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka.
India’s Playing XI:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Sanju Samson
- Suryakumar Yadav (capt)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Riyan Parag
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka’s Playing XI:
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Perera
- Kamindu Mendis
- Charith Asalanka (capt)
- Dasun Shanaka
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Ramesh Mendis
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Asitha Fernando
Frequently Asked Questions
The key turning point was Axar Patel’s final over, where he dismissed both set batters, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, leading to a dramatic collapse of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Axar Patel’s confidence has grown through continuous performance in pressure situations. Success in these situations has built his confidence, and even failures have provided valuable lessons.
India opted to bowl first due to the wet weather conditions, which influenced captain Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to chase.
Sanju Samson replaced Shubman Gill because Gill woke up with a neck spasm and was unable to play.
Conclusion
Axar Patel’s journey over the past year has been marked by significant growth and confidence gained from handling pressure situations. His performance in the first T20I against Sri Lanka is a testament to his resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. As India continues its T20I series against Sri Lanka, Axar’s contributions and the team’s strategic decisions will be crucial in their quest for victory. The lessons learned and confidence gained from these experiences will undoubtedly shape Axar’s future performances and his role in the Indian cricket team.
