Axar Patel Dismisses ‘Ahmedabad Jinx’ Talk Ahead of T20 World Cup Final vs New Zealand
MUMBAI – Following a match-turning performance in the field against England at Wankhede Stadium, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has turned his focus to the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. Returning to his home ground in Ahmedabad, Patel addressed questions regarding his previous absences at the venue and his readiness for the title clash.
Fielding Brilliance Shifts Momentum
India’s fielding standards, a point of contention with 13 dropped catches leading up to the semifinal, improved significantly during the knockout fixture. Patel spearheaded this resurgence with two critical interventions that dismantled England’s chase.
The first breakthrough occurred when Harry Brook attempted to attack Jasprit Bumrah’s slower delivery. Patel, stationed inside the ring, tracked the ball toward deep cover and executed a diving catch inches from the turf. Later, in the 14th over, he collaborated with Shivam Dube to dismiss Will Jacks. After intercepting a sliced shot off Arshdeep Singh at the boundary, Patel maintained his balance just long enough to lob the ball to Dube before crossing the rope, ending a threatening 77-run partnership.
“The ball had decided to chase me,” Patel remarked regarding his involvement. While acknowledging the technical difficulty of the Brook catch, he identified the dismissal of Jacks as the turning point due to the dangerous nature of the partnership.
Match Impact Summary
| Action | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Catch 1 | Harry Brook (b Bumrah) | Removed England captain; broke rhythm. |
| Catch 2 | Will Jacks (c Dube b Arshdeep) | Assist; ended 77-run stand (39 balls). |
| Bowling | Dismissed Tom Banton | Removed set batter (SR 350+). |
Bowling Discipline and Tournament Form
Beyond his fielding, the 32-year-old left-arm spinner provided control in the middle overs. He dismissed the aggressive Tom Banton, utilizing pace variation to deceive the batter. Throughout the tournament, Patel has claimed eight wickets in six matches.
His economy rate stands at 8.09, ranking him second among Indian bowlers, trailing only Jasprit Bumrah (6.62). Despite his consistent performances, Patel faced selection rotation earlier in the tournament, sitting out matches against the Netherlands and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Homecoming and the ‘Jinx’ Narrative
The upcoming final in Ahmedabad holds personal significance for the Gujarat-born cricketer. Having missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to injury and serving as a non-playing member during recent fixtures at the venue, Patel views Sunday’s match as a long-awaited opportunity. He confirmed his family, including his son, will be in attendance.
“I think that’s why I didn’t play those two matches, because it is very important for me,” Patel stated. “I have been waiting for many years to play in front of my family on my home ground. It’s a very proud moment.”
When questioned about social media theories labeling the Ahmedabad stadium as “jinxed” for India following the 2023 defeat, Patel offered a pragmatic rebuttal.
“I didn’t play that game, so now I think the jinx will be broken,” he said.
Key Factors for the Final
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
- Opponent: New Zealand.
- Axar’s Role: Likely to retain his spot as the primary spin-bowling all-rounder.
- Historical Context: India aims to secure the ICC trophy on home soil after the 2023 near-miss.
For official match schedules and statistics, visit the International Cricket Council (ICC) or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).