Gavaskar Likens Axar Patel to Jadeja After “Unbelievable” Fielding Masterclass at Wankhede
MUMBAI: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has singled out vice-captain Axar Patel for his athletic brilliance during India’s high-stakes T20 encounter against England at the Wankhede Stadium. Following a high-scoring thriller where fielding made the difference, Gavaskar compared Patel’s impact to that of Ravindra Jadeja, suggesting the all-rounder has successfully filled the void left by the veteran cricketer.
Match Snapshot: India vs. England
In a contest dominated by batters, India posted a formidable total before restricting England despite a spirited chase.
| Team | Score | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| India | 253/7 | Sanju Samson (Blistering Knock) |
| England | Chase halted | Jacob Bethell (Century) |
The Turning Point: Axar’s 24-Meter Sprint
England’s pursuit of the target was fueled by Jacob Bethell, who notched a century to keep the visitors in contention. However, Axar Patel’s interventions in the field dismantled England’s momentum at critical junctures. The standout moment occurred early in the innings against Harry Brook.
Facing Jasprit Bumrah, Brook miscued a slower delivery high over the cover region. Axar, stationed inside the circle, sprinted back approximately 24 meters. Keeping his eyes fixed on the dropping ball, he completed a diving catch inches from the ground to dismiss the dangerous English batter.
“Axar Patel’s catch to dismiss Harry Brook was unbelievable. Brook can take the game away and you have to grab every chance to get his wicket and Axar did that,” Gavaskar analyzed on JioHotstar. “He ran 24 meters away from his fielding spot, kept his eyes on the ball, balanced himself and took the catch. Unbelievable stuff.”
Relay Catch Seals the Advantage
Later in the innings, as Will Jacks attempted to accelerate alongside Bethell, Axar produced a second moment of fielding excellence. Chasing a sliced shot toward deep point, Patel covered significant ground before realizing his momentum would carry him over the boundary rope.
- The Play: Axar intercepted the ball while running at full speed.
- The Assist: Losing balance, he flicked the ball back into play before crossing the rope.
- The Wicket: Teammate Shivam Dube completed the catch, breaking the Bethell-Jacks partnership.
“He also played a key role in Will Jacks’ dismissal. The Bethell-Jacks partnership was taking the game away. But Axar ran to his left, grabbed the ball and smartly passed it to Shivam Dube,” Gavaskar noted.
The Jadeja Comparison
Ravindra Jadeja, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier fielders, set a high standard for Indian cricket. Gavaskar believes Axar Patel is now matching those standards, evolving into a complete package for the national side.
“With his batting and bowling, Axar is going to be one of India’s great players. We had Ravindra Jadeja before him and Axar is filling that void well,” Gavaskar concluded.