Picture Credit: Twitter
India all-rounder Axar Patel was the star of Team India’s two-wicket win over the West Indies in the second ODI as he smashed an unbeaten 64 off just 35 balls. Patel looked immensely calm and composed in what was rather a tense chase for India. Having represented India in around 70 games across formats, Patel looked confident and he eventually won the game.
This innings of Axar earned him praise from all corners. Former Gujarat coach and a close confidante to Axar, Vijay Patel was also impressed with the way the 28-year-old paced his innings. He praised Patel for his fearlessness and revealed that the all-rounder never feels the pressure. Patel then went on to describe Axar as one of the humblest of personalities in the game as he revealed that even after getting India's cap, the cricketer always sits on the ground whenever they two meet.
"Axar is a typical Nadiad boy. He never feels pressure. Small-town kids are tough, fearless people,” said Vijay Patel to TOI. "I have known him since his under-16 days for Gujarat. He's very focused and mentally relaxed. Success or the India cap hasn't changed him. He's still very humble. We spoke today. He was really happy. Sometimes when he comes to meet me, he'll sit on the floor with me. 'Arey tu India player hai (you're an India player),' I tell him,” added Patel while describing Axar’s humble nature.
Jadeja’s presence doesn’t make a difference to him: Patel
Having been recognized as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja in his entire career, Patel is hardly bothered about the presence of his senior teammate. Talking about the same, Vijay Patel said that he never looks worried about other things and is only focused on himself.
"Sometime back, there was a phase when Jadeja was doing so well that Axar almost seemed forgotten. However, he seemed completely relaxed about it. 'Don't worry sir. Aage dekh lenge (we'll see in the future)' he told me. He wasn't feeling any pressure," says Patel.
"It doesn't make a difference to him if Jadeja is around or not. He's only focused on his own performance. As I said earlier, he's just relaxed and enjoying his game. It's this attitude which helps him keep performing well."