Axar Patel (Source: @ICC/x.com)
If anyone asks about Indian spinner Axar Patel, his talent is unmatched, and his funny, lively nature never fails to delight fans. But once he crossed the boundary ropes, stepped onto the ground, every noise shut down as the spinner knew how to get his job done.
Across the formats, Axar’s bowling has helped the Men in Blue secure some outstanding victories. As people decoded his excellence as ‘daring,’ but Axar Patel called it ‘Confidence.’
Confidence remains the driving force behind Axar Patel’s success
The always smiling Indian bowler who turned into a fierce force during a match, that is Axar Patel for you. Across the formats, the mighty Indian spinner showcased his excellence over the years. In moments of crisis, when fans look for a savior, Axar steps up every time, proving why their faith in him never goes wrong.
Fans often hailed him as a daring bowler, but Axar corrected those as his confidence. In a chat with The Indian Express, Axar explained that daring is just about luck, while his unwavering confidence is what truly drives his remarkable success.
“There is a difference. Daring is like tukka (freak luck). I am not going there with 50-50, laga toh laga type. You go hit out, or try some random balls as a bowler and hua toh hua (If it happens, it happens). I am not like that. I prepare so well that I am confident. Confidence in myself is my thing,” he said.
Axar Patel lives by a simple mantra — do your job and leave
Even in the most tense moments of a high-voltage match, Axar Patel will be seen smiling or in a relaxed state. When asked about his cool demeanor, he explained that there’s no need to act intense; the focus should be on getting the job done when it truly matters.
“Why should I show it to the world? That I am serious about what I do. I have that kind of personality. It’s my job to prepare as a batsman or bowler. Mujhe kyun duniya ko batana hai. Apna kaam karo, niklo chup chaap (Do your job, go quietly). It’s been from childhood,” he said.
The spinner sharpens his edge for the big Test battle
After a thrilling white-ball series against Australia, Team India is all set to face South Africa in a two-match Test series on home soil. As the first Test is set to take place in Kolkata, Axar Patel made his preparation top-notch.
"I don’t like to be surprised. See, the likes of (Aiden) Markram or (Temba) Bavuma, I know what they do. Other batsmen I watch videos. Look at what the performance analyst sends. Look at the apps, their batting. Tomorrow I don’t want to be surprised: ‘Oh, this guy sweeps or cuts or whatever the shots are.’ I generally tend to focus on my bowling. What I can do. But with the awareness of what to do against a few specific batsmen," he added.
On November 14, Team India will meet South Africa in the first Test match at the iconic Eden Gardens. After a successful victory over West Indies in the previous home Test series, Shubman Gill and Co. are all set to replicate the success.
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