IND vs BAN: ‘He had dropped it’: Axar Patel breaks silence after Rohit Sharma denies him a Champions Trophy 2025 hat-trick
Axar Patel skilled a whirlwind of feelings inside seconds throughout India’s opening match towards Bangladesh within the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. From sheer elation to crushing disappointment, the left-arm spinner discovered himself on the heart of a second that might be talked about for years. Axar was on the verge of reaching a exceptional milestone – his first-ever hat-trick in any format of cricket- however Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch turned the second into heartbreak.
As India dominated Bangladesh with the ball, Axar delivered a spell that disarmed the opposition. He had arrange an ideal alternative for a uncommon ICC Champions Trophy hat-trick, however destiny had different plans. Whereas missed catches are part of the sport, this drop carried extra weight due to its historic significance and the potential file that slipped away.
The pivotal second: A Champions Trophy hat-trick that wasn’t
As Axar ran in for his hat-trick ball, he knew he was on the point of one thing particular. He had simply dismissed two Bangladesh batters in back-to-back deliveries, setting the stage for what might have been a career-defining second. His ultimate goal was Jaker Ali, and Axar executed his plan to perfection. He tossed the ball up invitingly, drawing Jaker ahead in protection. Simply because the batter thought he had it lined, the ball turned sharply, took the surface edge, and flew in the direction of the slip cordon.
Positioned at slip, Rohit was anticipated to finish a routine catch. Nonetheless, in a second of misjudgment, he lunged ahead as a substitute of permitting the ball to come back to him. The ball dipped sharply, slipped via his fingers, and fell to the bottom. Rohit himself tumbled ahead in frustration, absolutely conscious of what had simply occurred. Axar, who had already began to have fun, turned again in disbelief as the chance for a historic hat-trick slipped away instantly.
The Champions Trophy, regardless of being a marquee event for over twenty years, has witnessed only one hat-trick in its complete historical past. That honor belongs to Jerome Taylor of the West Indies in 2006, a testomony to how extremely uncommon it’s for a bowler to assert three wickets in three successive deliveries on this competitors. Had Axar achieved the milestone, he would have etched his identify into cricketing folklore as the primary Indian to take a Champions Trophy hat-trick.
Additionally READ: IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma overtakes Sachin Tendulkar to attain a particular milestone in ODIs – Champions Trophy 2025
Axar Patel’s response: From celebration to disappointment
After Bangladesh was bowled out for 228, Axar was requested in regards to the missed hat-trick alternative throughout a post-match interplay with Star Sports activities. His response was a mixture of humor and disappointment, exhibiting his calm demeanor regardless of the unlucky end result.
“Truthfully, I began celebrating when the ball went to Rohit Sharma. However then I spotted he had dropped it. What to do? Sabke saath hota hai (occurs with everyone). When it occurred, I didn’t react a lot as I simply turned again and went away,” Axar mentioned.
His phrases mirrored his sportsman spirit, however it was clear that the second had stung. A bowler’s first hat-trick is at all times a defining achievement, and to have it slip away on account of a dropped catch was a merciless accident. Nonetheless, Axar remained composed, selecting to deal with the staff’s general efficiency reasonably than dwelling on his private disappointment.
