All-rounder Axar Patel was one of the brightest sparks for India in the T20I World Cup 2024. Axar contributed in all three departments of the game in the tournament and was India’s saviour every time the team got into trouble. With the bat, Axar dug India out in the final of the tournament. With the ball, Axar derailed defending champions England in the semi-final and in the field, Axar’s catch against Mitchell Marsh in Super 8s vs Australia changed the complexion of the game.
With Ravindra Jadeja calling time in the T20I format, Axar is being looked at as the long-time replacement for the all-rounder. After his successful T20 World Cup campaign, Axar, in an interview, revealed how playing tennis ball cricket and the Indian Premier League helped him handle pressure in the ICC tournament.
Axar revealed that his background in tennis ball cricket prepared him to hit shots against every kind of ball. The batter said that while he learned better technique with the seasoned ball, it was tennis ball cricket that shaped his mentality with the bat.
“Playing tennis ball cricket had an impact on my hitting ability because, in that format, you can hit almost every ball for a six or a four, especially in short 10-12 over games. It also influenced my shot selection. Initially, I would predominantly hit the ball to the leg side. However, when I transitioned to season ball cricket, I realised the importance of playing with the swing and not just slogging every ball. I worked on expanding my hitting areas, focusing on playing straight and avoiding cross-batted shots,” Axar said.
“Tennis ball cricket also taught me how to handle pressure. Growing up, I often found myself in pressure situations, which made me more stable and stronger mentally. I learned to stay calm and think positively, which has been invaluable in my career,” he further added.
