The Tactical Dilemma
With England needing 30 runs from the final six deliveries to pull off a miraculous chase of 254, captain Suryakumar Yadav faced a difficult choice. Axar Patel was the only specialist bowler with an over remaining in his quota. However, in a surprising tactical move, the captain opted for the medium pace of Shivam Dube, despite the all-rounder not having bowled a single delivery earlier in the match.
Axar's Confidence at Long-Off
Speaking to Star Sports following the victory, Axar Patel shared his mindset during those high-pressure moments. Despite the match being a high scoring contest where England’s Jacob Bethell had already struck a century, Axar was confident in his ability to shut down the chase.
"Mai ready tha. Mai long off pe khada tha aur ready tha aur bowling practice bhi kar raha tha. 30 runs to bohot, 5 chakke to nahi khaunga ye pata tha," Axar said with a laugh. (I was ready. I was standing at long-off and was already practising the final over. Thirty miles were too many and I knew I wouldn't get hit for five sixes in an over.)
Navigating the Death Overs
The tension had reached a fever pitch in the final stages of the innings. After Jacob Bethell’s breathtaking 105 off 48 balls kept England in the hunt, India’s primary weapons were deployed to stem the flow of runs. Jasprit Bumrah proved his worth yet again, conceding only eight runs in the 16th over and a mere six runs in the 18th over.
Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya also played their parts under extreme pressure. Although Bethell struck a six off Pandya to reach his hundred in the penultimate over, Hardik recovered brilliantly to concede only three more runs in the remaining five balls. This left England requiring five converted sixes from the final over to win.
Credit to the Support Staff
While Dube eventually closed out the win, Suryakumar Yadav was quick to point out that India’s defensive success was a result of collective preparation. The captain particularly praised fielding coach T Dilip for the team’s improved standards, which saw several runs saved in the deep throughout the night.
"We need to give credit to T Dilip, our fielding coach. Boys are responding well. Guys have been going the extra yard, that's showing up," Suryakumar remarked during the post-match presentation. He also acknowledged the emotional weight of the upcoming final, stating that while there will be pressure playing for a title in India, the squad is filled with excitement.
The Road to the Title
India’s victory sets up a monumental final against New Zealand. As the hosts look to defend their T20 World Cup crown, the confidence of players like Axar Patel, even when not called upon for the final over, serves as a testament to the team's internal belief. The squad has now reached Ahmedabad, where they will look to complete their back-to-back championship journey on Sunday.
That quote carries a lot of weight, especially given the high-stakes pressure of an T20 World Cup final. Axar Patel has always been the "cool customer" of the Indian squad, but his recent insights into that nail-biting finish against South Africa reveal just how much tactical maneuvering was happening behind the scenes.
Here is the breakdown of why Shivam Dube was chosen over Axar for those middle overs and how Axar prepared himself for a potential "redemption" arc.
The Tactical Choice: Why Dube over Axar?
While fans were scratching their heads seeing Dube get the nod over a seasoned spinner like Axar, the reasoning was purely mathematical and based on matchups.
The "Lefty-Righty" Factor: South Africa had David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen at the crease. Both are notoriously aggressive against left-arm spin.
The Wind Factor: According to Axar, Surya and the management felt the wind direction favored the batters if the ball was turning into them (which Axar's delivery would do).
Dube's Length: Surya chose Dube to use his height and hit a "heavy" length that is harder to clear when the batters are looking to slog-sweep.
"5 Chakke Toh Nahi Khaunga"
Axar’s comment refers to the psychological scar of the 2022 World Cup, where he was hit for three sixes in an over by Iftikhar Ahmed.
When the game got tight against South Africa, Axar revealed he was mentally preparing for the final over. His mindset was a blend of defiance and realism:
"I told myself, even if I have to bowl the last over, I won't concede five sixes. I've grown since 2022; I know how to handle the nerves now."
Axar’s Impact in the Final
Even though he didn't bowl the final over (Hardik Pandya took those honors), Axar's contribution was the "glue" that held India together:
With the Bat: His 47 off 31 balls after India was 34/3 saved the innings.
With the Ball: He bowled crucial middle overs to keep the run rate within a manageable (if terrifying) distance.
Axar Patel has transitioned from a "replacement player" to an indispensable all-rounder who understands his role—whether that's being the hero with the bat or the tactical sacrifice with the ball.
Would you like me to pull up the specific stats from Axar's 2024 World Cup campaign to see how he compared to other all-rounders?
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