T20 World Cup 2026: Waited many years to play in front of family, says Axar Patel ahead of Ahmedabad final

Axar Patel may come across as a cheerful, easy-going cricketer off the field, but between the boundary ropes, complacency has never found a place in his game.

On Thursday evening, that relentless attitude translated into two moments of fielding brilliance that quietly shifted the momentum in India’s favour.

While Sanju Samson grabbed the headlines with the bat and Jasprit Bumrah dictated terms with the ball, Axar’s athleticism in the field proved just as decisive.

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The first moment arrived in the PowerPlay. Harry Brook miscued a slower delivery from Bumrah, and Axar sprinted nearly 24 metres backwards from the cover region to complete a stunning catch over his shoulder, a piece of fielding that left teammates and spectators stunned.

Later, in the 14th over, Axar produced another crucial intervention when Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks threatened to tilt the contest England’s way.

Jacks sliced a wide full toss from Arshdeep Singh towards deep point. Axar charged to his left, grabbed the ball on the move and smartly relayed it to Shivam Dube as he crossed the ropes, a relay effort that resulted in Jacks’ dismissal and halted England’s momentum.

For Axar, though, the first effort remained the more demanding one.

“If you ask me fielding-wise, Brook’s catch was tougher. And yeah, luckily today, I felt like the ball was chasing me,” Axar said with a smile.

“It was a very good catch for me, it was tough. But if you look at the situation and the way the England batsmen were batting, the catch of Will Jacks was also very important to break the partnership at that time,” he added.

Yet, for Axar, the bigger test lies ahead.

India will now head to the Narendra Modi Stadium for Sunday’s final against New Zealand—a match that carries special significance for the all-rounder.

Interestingly, despite India playing two matches at the venue in this tournament, against the Netherlands and South Africa, Axar did not feature in either game, a decision that raised a few eyebrows.

He had also missed out when India played the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. This time, however, the opportunity feels far more personal.

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“I think that’s why I didn’t play those two matches (maybe because I had to play the final),” Axar joked.

“It is very important for me. I have waited for so many years to play a match in front of my family on my home ground. It is a very proud moment. I think after two years I will be playing on my home ground, and that too in an ICC World Cup final. My son will also watch my first match live, and that is something I am very proud of,” he added.

India, meanwhile, will hope that the Ahmedabad final produces a different ending this time.

“I didn’t play that game (the final), so now I think the jinx will be broken,” Axar said with a grin.

For India, and for Axar, Sunday presents the chance to ensure that it does.

Published on Mar 06, 2026