Axar Patel's Remarkable Journey: Overcoming Injuries to Achieve World Cup Glory
In April 2024, during a Delhi Capitals event in New Delhi, all-rounder Axar Patel was asked about his prospects for the upcoming T20 World Cup. With a wry smile, he responded, "Aapko toh maloom hai ki main har World Cup se pehle injured ho jaata hoon" (You know I get injured before every World Cup). This candid remark initially drew laughter but soon revealed the underlying pain of his repeated misfortune.
The Emotional Toll of Repeated Injuries
Axar's childhood friend, Keval Patel, recalls sending a humorous yet concerned message after the cricketer injured his bowling finger during the first T20I against New Zealand. "Maine usko message kar diya tha ki bhai dhyaan se, abhi World Cup hai, bahut lamba cricket hai" (I messaged him to be careful, the World Cup is ahead, and there's a lot of cricket), Keval shared from Nadiad, Gujarat. Behind the laughter, tension gripped Axar's inner circle, especially after he missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury.
Transformation from Heartbreak to Triumph
The disappointment of 2023 paved the way for an extraordinary 2024. Axar not only secured a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad but delivered a stellar performance in the final, contributing significantly to India's victory. He continued this success by helping secure the Champions Trophy title in 2025. This period also brought personal joy with the birth of his son, affectionately called 'Chota Patel', in December 2024.
Keval describes how fatherhood has changed their gatherings: "Hum jaise pehle baithte the, abhi bhi waise hi baithte hai. Abhi wo chota Patel ko leke aata hai to usme zyaada time chala jaata hai. Hum ab chotu ke saath hi khelte rehte hai" (We still sit together, but now Axar brings his son and most time goes there. We keep playing with him).
World Cup Debut for 'Chota Patel'
While Axar's friends have watched numerous matches from the stands, this World Cup will be special as his son attends for the first time. Keval plans to take 'Chotu' to a match, noting, "Maine bahut match dekhe hai. Chotu ne bhi Delhi Capitals ka IPL match dekha hai. But is baar World Cup mein 'Chota Patel' ka entry hoga" (I've watched many matches. 'Chotu' has seen a Delhi Capitals IPL game too. But this time will be his first World Cup).
The Underrated Leader
Despite often flying under the radar, Axar has become indispensable to the Indian team with his all-round abilities. He now captains Delhi Capitals and serves as vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in India's T20I setup. Venugopal Rao, Delhi Capitals' director of cricket, highlights Axar's growth: "Axar has been with us since 2019. He is an excellent reader of the game. He is a fun-loving character who keeps things light, but not many have noticed his game-reading skills and the way he thinks about cricket."
Rao revealed how Axar earned the captaincy over experienced players like Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul: "When captaincy was discussed, Rahul was there and Faf was there, but everyone was convinced about Axar because even the Indian team had started taking note of his leadership abilities."
Early Recognition and Breakthrough
Rao first noticed Axar during his age-group days in Gujarat, where he was known as the "Jayasuriya of Nadiad" for his aggressive batting. A pivotal moment came during the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy season when Axar was selected against a strong Delhi side featuring Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Rao recalls: "I remember discussing it with Parthiv. We knew Axar from the age-group circuit and felt a left-arm spinner was essential. I scored a hundred, Parthiv got a half-century, but it was Axar who stood out. He took six wickets in the first innings and made vital runs to give us the first-innings lead."
This performance earned him an IPL contract with Punjab Kings and a national call-up, leading to his ODI debut against Bangladesh in June 2014. "He made an immediate impact. There was no looking back after that," Rao adds.
Consistent Humility Amid Success
Despite his achievements, Axar remains grounded. Keval emphasizes, "Bahut hi down-to-earth banda hai. Kuch bhi change nahi hua hai. Field ke bahar wo wahi Axar hai jo pehle tha" (He is very down-to-earth. Nothing has changed. Outside the cricket field, he is still the same Axar as before). During the 2023 ODI World Cup, when Axar was sidelined by injury, his friends supported him through PlayStation sessions and card games to maintain his spirits.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
For over a decade, Axar has operated in Ravindra Jadeja's shadow and faced multiple tournament-ending injuries. Yet, his determination has propelled him forward. A self-made cricketer, he has maximized his talent to win ICC trophies. Now, with his son cheering from the stands, Axar aims to make 'Chota Patel's' first World Cup memorable by helping India claim another championship.
Rao concludes, "With the greatest cricketers, it's about how simple they keep things. Axar has mastered that and has only matured with time." From Nadiad to the world stage, Axar Patel's journey exemplifies resilience, humility, and unwavering dedication to the sport.
