In an exclusive interview ahead of the first Test against South Africa, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has revealed the mindset that has transformed him into the team's go-to crisis man across all formats. The versatile player, known for his calm demeanor under pressure, opened up about his preparation methods and why he rejects the 'daring' label often attached to his performances.
The Confidence Behind the Calm
"Not daring, I don't like that word. Confidence is my thing," Patel stated emphatically when asked about his approach to high-pressure situations. The 30-year-old has become India's reliable problem-solver - whether it's scoring crucial middle-over runs in ODIs, being promoted up the batting order in T20s, rescuing Test innings from collapses, or breaking partnerships when frontline bowlers struggle.
His leadership capabilities were further demonstrated when he took over Delhi Capitals' captaincy last season, delivering results that surprised many observers. What stands out most about Patel is his apparent nonchalance - the back-slapping jokes during tense moments and his ability to diffuse pressure situations with ease.
Preparation Over Luck
Patel strongly differentiated between what people perceive as 'daring' and his actual approach. "Daring is like tukka (freak luck)," he explained. "I am not going there with 50-50, laga toh laga type. You go hit out, or try some random balls as a bowler and hua toh hua (If it happens, it happens). I am not like that. I prepare so well that I am confident. Confidence in myself is my thing."
This preparation was evident during our conversation on Wednesday evening, when Patel had already analyzed videos of South African batsmen and planned his bowling strategy. "I don't like to be surprised," he revealed. "See, the likes of Aiden Markram or Temba Bavuma, I know what they do. Other batsmen I watch videos. Look at what the performance-analyst sends. Look at the apps, their batting."
This meticulous approach has yielded impressive results in Test cricket, where Patel has taken 55 wickets at an average of 19.34, yet he maintains that relaxed exterior that belies his serious preparation.
The Relaxed Approach to High Pressure
Patel's method of staying relaxed while preparing intensely extends to his match-day routines. "Why should I show it to the world? That I am serious about what I do," he said with his characteristic smile. "I have that kind of personality. It's my job to prepare as a batsman or bowler. Mujhe kyun duniya ko batana hai. Apna kaam karo, niklo chup chaap (Do your job, go quietly)."
He detailed how he manages his mental state during games: "When we are batting, and I am in the dressing room, in ODIs, I see 5 overs. In T20, I see one or two overs, and then go in. In Tests, I don't watch at the start as I am not going to play the new ball. Every now and then, I see inside on the TV where it's better to judge exactly what's happening. But mostly, I will be taking my mind off the game."
This ability to combine hard preparation with mental relaxation allows him to filter out preconceived stress about game situations and react instinctively when needed.
Speaking Out on Captaincy Perceptions
Patel also addressed the public perception around captaincy criteria, particularly the emphasis on English-speaking abilities and media-friendly personalities. "People start saying 'oh he is not a captaincy material, he doesn't speak English. How will he talk? Yeh hai, voh hai'. Arre! Captain's work is not to just talk," he asserted.
He emphasized that "captain's work is to know the player and see how to get the best out of him. What's his strength, what's his weakness." Drawing from his successful captaincy stint with Delhi Capitals, Patel noted that "I captained Delhi Capitals this year and got a lot of praise. I think if more of this happens, more will change in the coming time."
He concluded with his fundamental philosophy: "The people in cricket know what's the value of a player. At the end of day that's what matters - what the people around you think. So yeah, just do your job." This 'kaam karo, and niklo chup-chaap' (do your work and leave quietly) approach has clearly served him well, making Axar Patel one of Indian cricket's most valuable and reliable assets.
