Axar Patel’s promotion to number five in the ODI series against England has proven to be a masterstroke for both the player and the Indian team. His impactful innings of 42 runs off 61 balls in India’s victory over New Zealand showcased his value in that position. Ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against Australia, Indian captain Rohit Sharma emphasized Axar’s remarkable batting development, noting it’s made him an indispensable part of the team’s middle order.
Sharma mentioned that the team management had clearly communicated their expectations to Axar at the beginning of the England ODI series, assuring him of his number five batting position regardless of the match situation. He praised Axar’s batting progress over the past year as “superb to watch,” explaining that this improvement allowed the team to utilize him effectively in the middle order, giving him the freedom to play his natural game.
Sharma further added, “He enjoys taking on the game and playing his shots. Even in challenging situations, Axar’s positive approach is beneficial. His crucial knock in the T20 World Cup final, where he stabilized the innings after an early collapse, is a testament to his ability. He consistently demonstrates his capability to exceed expectations with the bat, making him a valuable asset to the squad.”
In the match against New Zealand, Axar also formed a vital 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer, who contributed a solid 79 runs. Hardik Pandya’s brisk 45 further strengthened India’s middle order, highlighting its current strong form, especially in controlling the game during the middle overs.
Rohit Sharma described the win against New Zealand as “perfect,” attributing it to the middle order’s run-scoring and the spinners’ impressive nine-wicket haul while defending a total of 250. He emphasized the importance of the middle order gaining valuable batting time and contributing significantly to a competitive total. This game allowed them to test their bowling options and the middle order’s batting capabilities when setting a target, as opposed to chasing in the previous matches.
Sharma concluded by stating that the team is prepared for the semi-final against Australia in Dubai, where India has maintained a perfect winning record in the tournament so far. Despite Australia’s strong record in ICC knockout events, Rohit affirmed that India will concentrate on executing their strategies and focusing on their strengths to overcome the Australian challenge in the semi-final.
