Know your Cricketer: Axar Patel; a Left Arm Spinner

Personal Information
Full Name	Axar Rajeshbhai Patel
Date of Birth	January 20th, 1994
Current Team(s)	Delhi Capitals (DC)
	Indian Cricket Team
Role	Allrounder
Batting Style	Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style	Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Debut	June 15th, 2014
Jersey No.	20

 

Axar Patel, a versatile Indian cricketer, has made a significant impact in the world of cricket with his exceptional skills as an all-rounder. He represents the Indian national team across all formats and specializes in left-arm orthodox bowling. In this article, we will explore the journey of Axar Patel, from his early days to becoming a prominent figure in Indian cricket.

Early Life and Career Beginnings
Axar Rajeshbhai Patel was born on 20th January 1994 in Anand, Gujarat. He started his cricketing journey at a young age and quickly showcased his talent. In 2013, he made his first-class debut for Gujarat, leaving a lasting impression by taking six wickets for 55 runs in the first innings against Delhi.

Despite playing only one first-class game in his debut season, Patel's skills were recognized, and he continued to excel in the following years. He played a crucial role in India U-23s's victory in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup, where he took seven wickets, including four in the semi-final against UAE. During the Ranji Trophy season, he displayed consistency with both bat and ball, scoring 369 runs at an average of 46.12 and capturing 29 wickets at 23.58.

Rise in the IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a platform for young talents to shine, and Axar Patel's journey in the tournament has been remarkable. In 2013, Patel was acquired by the Mumbai Indians but didn't get many opportunities to play. However, his fortunes changed when he was picked up by the Kings XI Punjab in the following year.

Patel proved his worth in the 2014 IPL season, where he showcased exceptional performances with the ball. He took 16 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 6.22, establishing himself as a reliable bowler. His skills were on full display in 2016 when he achieved a rare feat of taking four wickets in just five balls while playing against Gujarat.

For the 2019 IPL season, Patel was purchased by the Delhi Capitals, further cementing his place as a valuable asset in the tournament.

International Debut and Test Success
Patel's impressive performances in the IPL earned him a call-up to the Indian national team. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut in 2014 during the Bangladesh tour. Although he played only one match, it was a significant milestone in his career.

In 2015, Patel made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut against Zimbabwe. His consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL eventually led to his Test debut against England in 2021. Patel made history in his debut match by taking a five-wicket haul, becoming the ninth player to achieve this feat.

During his debut Test series, Patel was the second-highest wicket-taker with 27 wickets to his name. His impressive bowling skills and ability to deceive the batsmen with his left-arm orthodox technique garnered praise from cricket enthusiasts around the world.

All-Round Abilities and Milestones
While Patel's primary strength lies in his bowling, he has also showcased his batting skills on various occasions. In 2021, he scored his maiden Test half-century against New Zealand, proving his worth as a genuine all-rounder. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Patel's journey in limited-overs cricket has also witnessed significant milestones. In 2022, he scored his first ODI half-century against West Indies, showcasing his batting prowess in the 50-over format. He followed it up with a T20 maiden half-century in 2023 against Sri Lanka, where he displayed his power-hitting skills by hitting six sixes and three boundaries, including a hat-trick of sixes against Sri Lankan spinner Hasaranga.

It is worth mentioning that Patel is now the third Indian batsman with the highest strike rate while scoring a maiden half-century in T20 cricket, further highlighting his impact in the shortest format of the game.

Career Stats:

Axar's Batting Stats
Format	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
Test	12	18	4	513	84	36.64	958	53.54	0	4	50	17
ODI	52	32	10	413	64	18.77	403	102.48	0	2	18	21
T20I	45	28	12	328	65	20.50	222	147.74	0	1	25	15
FC	52	74	12	2178	110	35.12	3624	60.09	1	17	262	34
LIST A	147	104	29	2268	98	30.24	2311	98.13	0	11	173	61
T20	225	164	55	2460	70	22.56	1835	134.05	0	4	171	110

 

Axar's Bowling Stats
Format	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	Avg	Eco	SR	4w	5w	10w
Test	12	23	2258	858	50	17.16	2.27	45.1	2	5	1
ODI	52	48	2427	1826	58	31.48	4.51	41.8	0	0	0
T20I	45	43	811	1022	39	26.20	7.56	20.7	0	0	0
FC	52	92	11092	4568	185	24.69	2.47	59.9	8	11	2
LIST A	147	141	7438	5339	182	29.33	4.30	40.8	3	1	0
T20	225	221	4607	5383	190	28.33	7.01	24.2	1	0	0

 

Conclusion
Axar Patel's journey from a young cricketer in Gujarat to a prominent figure in Indian cricket is an inspiration to aspiring players. His unique ability to bat with his left hand and bowl with a slow left-arm orthodox technique has made him a versatile all-rounder. From his exceptional performances in domestic cricket and the IPL to his memorable Test debut, Patel has proven his mettle on various occasions.

With his consistent performances and the potential to contribute in multiple aspects of the game, Axar Patel is undoubtedly an asset to the Indian cricket team. As he continues to evolve and hone his skills, Patel is poised to make further contributions and leave a lasting impact on the world of cricket.