Rohit Sharma reveals the "clear message" given to Axar Patel ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

India's captain Rohit Sharma has revealed the message given to the star allrounder Axar Patel before the ODI series against England which was played prior to the ongoing Champions Trophy.

The Indian skipper was speaking about the important partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel when India had slumped to 30-3 initially. The partnership was key in getting India back on track and getting a competitive total on the board.

Rohit Sharma also about hailed the role of India's middle order and claimed that the time spent by those batters in the middle during the match against New Zealand would be vital in the upcoming knockout games.

Also read: Rohit Sharma fumes, destroys critics over ‘unfair advantage’ claims in CT 2025

Rohit Sharma on the middle order's role

While speaking to the reporters ahead of the semi-final match against Australia, India's captain Rohit Sharma spoke about India's fightback after losing three early wickets against New Zealand.

Rohit feels that the time spent by the middle order batters, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, at the crease was important and it will give them confidence as it got India to a competitive total.

"The middle order, obviously, are very experienced in terms of the games that they've played, the number of games they've played. But to just get some batting time in the middle and to get those runs and get that fighting total was very, very important from our standpoint," Rohit was quoted as saying by RevSportz.

The middle order, obviously, are very experienced in terms of the games that they've played, the number of games they've played. But to just get some batting time in the middle and to get those runs and get that fighting total was very, very important from our standpoint: Rohit

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 3, 2025

India lost their top-order batters early but the middle order came to the rescue with a fine partnership of 98 runs between Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel. It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on but both the batters took their time and got their eyes in before starting to score freely.

Rohit Sharma reveals Axar Patel's batting role

While speaking further in the press conference, Rohit Sharma shed light on Axar Patel's role in the team. He claimed that Axar was already asked to bat at No. 5 ahead of the tournament irrespective of the situation.

"Speaking about Axar (Patel), look, that is something that we wanted from him. And the clear message was given to him when we started the ODI series against England, that no matter what the situation is, you will bat at 5," the Indian skipper added.

Speaking about Axar, look, that is something that we wanted from him. And the clear message was given to him when we started the ODI series against England, that no matter what the situation is, you will bat at 5: Rohit

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 3, 2025

Axar Patel has been batting at No. 5 since the ODI series against England which was played just before the Champions Trophy. He was accommodated up the order as he can provide the team with a useful left-handed option in a line-up full of right-handers.

The move has worked well so far with Axar having played valuable knocks for his team. His promotion has also made India's batting line-up deeper than before. With Axar at No. 5, KL Rahul has moved down to No. 6.

Important stand between Shreyas Iyer & Axar Patel

India lost their top three batters Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli cheaply inside the powerplay. However, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the innings with a solid partnership between them.

They took their time and analyzed the wicket well, thus forming a partnership of 98 runs between them. Axar was dismissed for a well-made 42 off 61 balls which included 3 fours and 1 six.

On the other hand, Iyer scored a fine 79 off 98 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. Their knocks would have given them loads of confidence ahead of the highly important semi-final against Australia which will be played in Dubai on March 4.