Champions Trophy: Rohit Praises Axar’s Batting Progression
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Synopsis
Dubai, March 3 (NationPress) Axar Patel's promotion to bat at number five in the ODI series against England has yielded significant benefits for him and the Indian team, culminating in a vital 42 runs during India's victory over New Zealand. His improvement has been noted by captain Rohit Sharma, emphasizing Axar's vital role in the middle order.
Key Takeaways
- Axar Patel promoted to number five in ODI series.
- Contributed 42 runs in crucial victory against New Zealand.
- Rohit Sharma praises Axar's batting improvement.
- Middle order showing excellent form in recent matches.
- India to face Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
Dubai, March 3 (NationPress) Since Axar Patel was elevated to the number five position in the ODI series against England, it has proven to be advantageous for both him and the Indian squad. His batting at five yielded significant results once again as he scored a vital 42 off 61 balls in India’s 44-run victory against New Zealand on Sunday.
As India prepares to clash with Australia in the crucial first semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy, India’s captain Rohit Sharma expressed that the progress Axar has made as a batsman, making him an essential asset in the middle order, has been a joy to witness.
“This is exactly what we wanted from him – a clear message was communicated to him at the onset of the ODI series against England, stating that regardless of the situation, he would bat at five. The improvement he’s displayed with the bat over the past year has been remarkable. We felt this was the right position for him to bat freely in the middle, and he has certainly embraced that role.
“He enjoys taking the initiative and playing aggressive shots. In challenging situations, opting for a positive approach is crucial. With Axar, we can definitely do that. He showcased this during the T20 World Cup final with a very significant innings. Once again, in that match, we were three wickets down, and for him to come in and play like that was incredible, helping us reach a respectable total in the end.
“That is our expectation – whenever he has had the chance, he has demonstrated that he can exceed our expectations. His batting performance has progressed significantly, making players like him invaluable in our squad,” Rohit stated at the pre-final press conference.
Against New Zealand, Axar also formed a crucial 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who continued his excellent form with a solid 79. The team also benefitted from Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 45, indicating that the middle order has been performing exceptionally well, particularly in advancing the game during the middle overs.
Rohit commented that the middle order's ability to score runs, combined with the spinners taking nine wickets in defending 250, made it a perfect victory against New Zealand. “The middle order possesses extensive experience from the number of matches they’ve played. However, being able to spend time batting in the middle and accumulating those runs to set a fighting total was critical for us.
“Overall, it was the ideal game we envisioned. We wanted to explore and test all our bowling options, allowing the middle order to bat long enough and establish a target. In the previous two games, we had to chase the score.
“This time, we aimed to bat first and observe how that plays out for us, as understanding the conditions when batting first versus second is vital. I believe this game was perfect in addressing all these aspects,” he elaborated.
To date, India has triumphed in all three of its matches in Dubai, with Australia next on the schedule. India previously fell to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final held in Ahmedabad. Acknowledging Australia’s historical success in ICC knockout stages, Rohit remarked that India must concentrate on key areas to overcome the Australian challenge in the semi-final in Dubai.
“It’s a formidable opponent to face. We need to stick to our strategy from the last three games. We will approach the match similarly. While we respect the way they play, focusing on what we need to do as a collective unit—batting and bowling—will be beneficial.
“Australia has been an exceptional team over the years, so we anticipate their counterattacks and some tense moments. This is the nature of the game nowadays. Considering it’s a semi-final, both teams will feel the pressure to win.
“However, it’s essential for us to keep our focus on our requirements, continue executing our plans correctly, and the results will follow if we maintain our standards.
“In the semi-final, we are uncertain about the pitch conditions. Yes, we are unsure about what surface will be used in the semi-final. However, we must adapt to whatever unfolds,” he concluded.
