Aiden Markram tossed one up, Axar Patel planted his front foot, and with a clean swing, sent the ball soaring over deep midwicket. In that one moment, India’s innings in the 2024 T20 World Cup final turned a corner. The shackles were broken, the momentum shifted, and India was on its way to a historic title.
That six in the eighth over came after 16 boundary-less balls, injecting much-needed momentum into India’s innings. Alongside Virat Kohli, Axar played a key role in rebuilding after early setbacks, ensuring India had enough runs on the board to clinch the title.
Mastering the Slog Sweep
Despite not being a frequent user of the sweep, Axar has demonstrated remarkable efficiency when playing it.
– In 46 ODI innings, he has faced 814 deliveries but has only attempted a sweep or slog sweep 31 times.
– His strike rate of 219.35 playing the shot is the third-best among Indians since his debut in 2014.
– He has been dismissed only once while attempting this shot, with a boundary percentage of 35.48%.
– In T20Is, his success with the shot is even more pronounced: a strike rate of 306.25, scoring 49 runs off just 16 attempts.
Tactical Awareness and Matchups
Axar’s calculated approach to the shot underscores his sharp game awareness and adaptability. He picks his moments carefully, knowing exactly when and against whom to use the stroke.
– He thrives against spinners turning the ball into him:
– Left-arm spinners: 36 runs off 18 balls.
– Leg spinners: 24 runs off 11 balls.
This ability makes him a significant middle-order asset, especially against teams that rely heavily on spin in the middle overs.
Champions Trophy Example: The Santner Moment
India’s recent Champions Trophy match against New Zealand followed a familiar pattern. Walking in at 30 for three, Axar and Shreyas Iyer focused on rotating the strike, playing cautiously to rebuild the innings. The wait for a boundary stretched to 52 balls before Axar decided to take on Mitchell Santner, sweeping him towards square leg for four.
That shot acted as a trigger. In the very next over, Iyer struck three boundaries off William O’Rourke, accelerating India’s innings at a crucial juncture. Much like in the T20 World Cup final, Axar’s decision to sweep wasn’t instinctive—it was calculated.
The Gambhir Factor: Axar’s Rise in the Batting Order
Axar’s evolving batting skills have allowed head coach Gautam Gambhir to experiment with left-right combinations while maintaining strong bowling depth. “If Axar is batting at five, it only lengthens the batting with KL (Rahul) at six, Hardik (Pandya) at seven, and (Ravindra) Jadeja at eight. You can bat till eight, which is always a luxury, plus you have six quality bowling options,” Gambhir had said after India’s third ODI against England in February.
The Number Five Experiment: A New Middle-Order Powerhouse?
Since August 2024, Axar has been promoted to bat at number five in seven innings. His performances in this role highlight his growing influence:
– 216 runs in seven innings.
– Four scores above 40, including a best of 52.
– The best strike-rate rotation in the middle overs (11-40), scoring 5.82 runs per over — the highest among Indians with over 100 balls faced in this phase.
Conclusion: A More Dynamic Indian Middle Order
Axar’s improved batting enhances India’s flexibility, making him a key asset with smart spin play, strike rotation, and finishing power — transforming the team’s strategy.