Axar Patel

Akshar Rajeshbhai Patel, also spelled as Axar Patel, is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Indian cricket team in all formats of the game as a bowling all – rounder.

He also plays for Gujarat in domestic cricket and for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He was an integral part of the Indian squad which won the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Early life:

He was one of the consistent performers for Gujarat in the 2013 – 14 Ranji Trophy, finishing the season with 369 runs at an average of 46.12 and 29 wickets at 23.58.

In early 2014, he was named the BCCI Under – 19 cricketer of the year for the 2012 – 13 season.

He was one of the key contributors to India Under – 23s’ title win in the 2013 ACC Emerging Teams Cup, with seven wickets, including a four – for in the semi – final against UAE.

He married Meha Patel on 26 January 2023 in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Domestic Career:

• In his second first – class match, against Delhi in November 2013, Patel took 6 for 55 in the first innings. This was his first five – wicket haul.
• Patel played just one first – class game in his debut season for Gujarat, but had a more successful showing in 2013.
• In August 2019, he was named in the India Red team’s squad for the 2019 – 20 Duleep Trophy.
• In October 2019, he was named in India C’s squad for the 2019 – 20 Deodhar Trophy.

Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 Franchise Career:

• Patel was signed up by the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians in 2013 but did not get a chance to play until he was released.
• He was then picked up by Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and had an impressive season with 17 wickets.
• He was retained by the Kings XI Punjab for the 2015 IPL season. Batting lower down the order, he scored 206 runs for the Kings XI Punjab in 2015 in addition to taking 13 wickets.
• On 1 May 2016, during a match against the Gujarat Lions, he took four wickets in five balls, including the first (and only) hat – trick of the 2016 IPL season, to pave the way for Kings XI Punjab’s 23 – run win against table – toppers Gujarat Lions in Rajkot.
• He was retained by Kings XI Punjab for the 2018 season.
• In December 2018, he was signed up by the Delhi Capitals in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League.
• He was retained by Delhi capitals for the 2021 season.

International Career:

• ODI debut: on 15 June 2014 for India against Bangladesh, in the first match of series at Sher – e – Bangla National Stadium and took 1/59 runs
• He was selected in India’s 15 – man squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
• Test debut: for India against England on 13 February 2021, where he took 7 wickets
• He became the ninth bowler for India to take a five – wicket haul on debut in Test cricket.
• In the 3 matches he played in his debut series, he took 27 wickets at a mere average of 10.59, finishing as the second – highest wicket taker of the series.
• Later in the year, he scored his maiden Test half – century against New Zealand.
• He is best known for his consistent wicket taking ability in Test cricket.
• Twenty20 International debut: for India against Zimbabwe on 17 July 2015
• On 25 July 2022, Patel scored his maiden ODI half – century against West Indies. He scored 64 runs off 35 balls, and remained unbeaten as he scored a match – winning six.
• For ICC T20 World Cup 2024, in the semi – final against England, he was named the Player Of The Match, making 10 runs and taking 3 wickets. In the final against South Africa, he was crucial, taking a wicket at the economy rate of 12.33 and making a quickfire 47 off 31, with 4 sixes and 1 four.

Major Achievements:

• He became the ninth bowler for India to take a five – wicket haul on debut in Test cricket.
• He is best known for his consistent wicket taking ability in Test cricket.
• He was one of the key contributors to India Under – 23s’ title win in the 2013 ACC Emerging Teams Cup, with seven wickets, including a four – for in the semi – final against UAE.
• He was the second left – arm spinner after Dilip Doshi to take a five – for in his debut Test.
• On 25 July 2022, Patel scored his maiden ODI half – century against West Indies. He scored 64 runs off 35 balls, and remained unbeaten as he scored a match – winning six.
• For ICC T20 World Cup 2024, in the semi – final against England, he was named the Player Of The Match, making 10 runs and taking 3 wickets. In the final against South Africa, he was crucial, taking a wicket at the economy rate of 12.33 and making a quickfire 47 off 31, with 4 sixes and 1 four.