'Didn't know I was going to bat at 5': Axar Patel credits 'Virat bhai' for World Cup final knock

India all-rounder Axar Patel has spoken about how his experiences in recent ICC events helped him move from self-doubt to delivering in pressure situations, saying the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy played a key role in shaping his confidence ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo’s The Cricket Monthly, Axar said he went into the 2024 T20 World Cup with nerves, largely due to memories of India’s semi-final defeat to England in the 2022 edition. He admitted that his past experiences weighed on his mind before the tournament.




Those feelings returned when India once again faced England in the semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, this time on a slow pitch in Providence, Guyana. Axar said he understood the nature of the surface quickly after spending some time in the middle.

“I knew batting on the wicket was not easy. I bowled in the powerplay and got Buttler on the very first delivery,” he said, referring to Jos Buttler’s dismissal off a top-edged reverse sweep.

Axar said focusing on his strengths helped him deal with the pressure of a knockout match.

His role became more important in the final against South Africa, when he was promoted to No. 5 with India in trouble at 34 for 3.

“I didn't know I was going to bat at 5. It all happened suddenly,” Axar said, adding that the decision was taken by Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.

Batting alongside Virat Kohli, Axar scored 47 off 31 balls and helped shift the momentum in India’s favour.

“With Virat bhai at the other end, and the way he was calmly manoeuvring the situation, I did not need to worry that much. If the match-up was in my favour, I would go for my strokes and then rotate the strike. Getting about ten runs an over was good, and that is how we calculated our approach,” Axar said.

That approach continued into the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in 2025. Chasing 252, Axar made 29 off 40 balls and took on left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner at a key stage, hitting him for a six.

“The equation was very close. Santner was bowling his ninth [eighth] over, I think. Shreyas had just got out. I knew, as a bowler, Santner would take a chance to go for another wicket,” Axar said.

India went on to win the Champions Trophy without losing a match, ending a 12-year wait for the title.

India will now defend their T20 World Cup title in 2026. Axar is expected to remain an important part of the side with both bat and ball.

India are placed in Group A alongside Namibia, the Netherlands, the USA and Pakistan. They will open their campaign against the USA on February 7, face Pakistan on February 15, and also play Namibia and the Netherlands in the group stage.

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