ICC T20 World Cup 2022: I Have Been Told By Management That If Need Be I Will Be Promoted – Axar Patel On His Batting Position

India National Cricket Team all-rounder Axar Patel has revealed that the team management has already informed him to be ready to bat in the top six as and when required.

The top-6 batters in India’s first-choice playing XI in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 are all right-handers. Sometimes there is a need for a left-handed batter in the middle overs to upset the rhythm of the opposition and that’s why India have decided to promote Axar as and when needed. Notably, he was sent at No.5 against Pakistan but the move didn’t pay off as he got run out.

Speaking to the media persons in the mixed zone, Axar Patel talked about his batting position in the playing XI. He stated:

“They (Pakistan) had left-arm spinner Nawaz and leg-spinner Shadab so it was important to send a left-hander and I was asked to go.

“Since our top six are right-handers, I have been told by management that if need be I will be promoted in the middle overs and I should be ready for that. That role is already assigned and I have performed in practice games.”

Talking about the match against Pakistan, where he got smashed for three sixes by Iftikhar Ahmed, Axar Patel said:

“The pitch was a bit dry and the ball was stopping and coming. The ball wasn’t exactly gripping so I was told to hit the deck hard as it was difficult to hit through the line. So that was the plan.

“After the Pakistan game, I sat with video analysts and bowling coach. Actually,, there will be days when a batter would take chance against you.

“I analyzed and out of three sixes that were hit against me, I only bowled one bad ball. You will have those days but if you keep on thinking then you can’t survive.” 

India’s next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 game is against South Africa on Sunday at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Proteas have several left-handed batters in their playing XI and Axar’s matchups against them aren’t great. While talking about the game against South Africa, Axar said:

“I am not thinking too much about SA game. Will go there and then take a call and what needs to be done.” 

We need to play normal fearless cricket and not think that we are facing Rabada, Nortje – Axar Patel

Axar Patel feels that the Indian batters should play normal fearless cricket against South Africa and should not think that they are facing premier pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje on a bouncy track. He said:

“We need to play normal fearless cricket and not think that we are facing Rabada Nortje on a bouncy track. We also have Bhuvi, Shami and Arshdeep. We need to continue our form and see what happens.”

Axar Patel further highlighted the key differences between the pitches in India and Australia. He said:

“The main difference between India and Australian wickets is bounce. In India, a batter can’t easily rock on the backfoot and negotiate the low bounce.

“In Australia, there isn’t much purchase from the track. Hitting someone through the line isn’t difficult while going on backfoot.

“There is communication and if we feel something is unusual and the track is changing, we send messages for players to come.” 

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2022: I Would Still Say That In Patches We Are Still Lacking In Bowling – Kapil Dev On Team India