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Rohit Sharma-led Team India is taking on Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Although, the Men in Blue were invited to field first after Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side won the toss and elected to bat first. While India stepped up on the occasion, sending five batters back to the pavilion inside the first powerplay, Axar Patel starred after picking two in two in the ninth over.
While the left-arm spinner struck on the second ball of his spell, getting the wicket of Tanzid Hasan for 25 off 25, on the very next ball of the over, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim found KL Rahul behind the stumps without troubling the scorers. Jaker Ali was on strike on the next ball as Axar Patel eyed to get a hat-trick, but Rohit Sharma denied him that after dropping a dolly catch at slips.
Axar Patel shares honest reaction on Rohit Sharma’s drop denying him a hat-trick
When questioned about that in the mid-innings break, the Indian all-rounder shared his honest opinion. He admitted of celebrating the moment once, but accepted that these things are a part and parcel of the game. "A lot happened. I didn't know if it (Tanzid Hasan wicket) was out, but KL appealed and it was out. Then I go the second wicket. The third one, when the edge was found, I thought I got my hat-trick. It was an eventful over. I started to celebrate and then I saw it (Rohit dropping the catch). I didn't react and just came back. It's part of the game," Axar said to the host broadcaster in a mid-innings interview.
Axar Patel was economical with the ball, where he picked two wickets in his nine-over spell. While he conceded 43 runs, he also bowled a maiden at the economy of 4.80. Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was the pick from the bowlers as he picked up a fifer n his ten overs at an economy of 5.30.
