'Filled With..' - Axar Patel 'Excited' About India's First T20I vs Australia

image-lparrpdqAxar Patel (Twitter)

Making his return to the T20I side after a prolonged injury absence that unfortunately put paid to his dreams of winning the ICC World Cup 2023, Axar Patel is approaching the five-match series against Australia with the mindset of a veteran senior pro.

Part of the all-format set-up, Axar, who has played 45 T20Is and has 136 IPL caps behind him, is one of the most experienced players of a fresh-looking squad picked for the Aussie T20Is, missing as many as 13 players who were part of the World Cup campaign.

The 29-year-old has the chance to personally bolster his case for the No. 7 slot as India's premier spin allrounder in the shortest format, where multiple young talents in stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav's outfit will also be pushing for regular selection throughout the series.

Axar Patel Urges Indian Youngsters To Raise Their Game 

Speaking to India's home series broadcaster, 'Jio Cinema', Axar put his senior cap on and urged the youngsters in the squad not to feel pressured by the weight of the India jersey and to stick to their strengths.

Recognising India have limited matches at hand in the build-up to next June's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean & USA, the Gujarat cricketer said it would be critical for players to make each opportunity count and grow rapidly into their respective roles within the side.

"Team is filled with Youngsters - even though we don't have enough games before the World Cup, we need to play to our strength and develop our game," Axar said. 

Men in Blue have just 11 T20Is scheduled before travelling to the Caribbean and USA. India play the five-match T20I series against Australia at home and have two three-match T20I series scheduled later versus South Africa away and Afghanistan on home return prior to the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup.