Axar Patel

{{Infobox cricketer

|name = Axar Patel

|image = Axar Patel in PMO New Delhi.jpg

|caption = Axar in 2024

|fullname = Akshar Rajeshbhai Patel

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|01|20|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Anand, Gujarat, India

|heightm =

|batting = Left-handed

|bowling = Slow left-arm orthodox

|role = All-rounder

|nickname = Axar, Bapu

|international = true

|internationalspan = 2014–present

|country = India

|testcap = 302

|testdebutagainst = England

|testdebutdate = 13 February

|testdebutyear = 2021

|lasttestagainst = England

|lasttestdate = 2 February

|lasttestyear = 2024

|odicap = 153

|odishirt = 20

|odidebutagainst =Bangladesh

|odidebutdate = 15 June

|odidebutyear = 2014

| lastodidate = 9 March

| lastodiyear = 2025

| lastodiagainst = New Zealand

|T20Icap = 53

|T20Ishirt = 20

|T20Idebutagainst =Zimbabwe

|T20Idebutdate = 17 July

|T20Idebutyear = 2015

| lastT20Idate = 2 February

| lastT20Iyear = 2025

| lastT20Iagainst = England

|club1 = Gujarat

|year1 = 2012–present

|clubnumber1 =66

|year2 = 2014–2018

|club2 = Kings XI Punjab

|clubnumber2 = 20

|club3 = Durham

|year3 = 2018

|clubnumber3 = 20

|club4 = Delhi Capitals

|year4 = 2019–present

|clubnumber4 = 20

|columns = 4

|column1 = Test

|column2 = ODI

|column3 = T20I

|column4 = FC

|matches1 = 14

|matches2 = 68

|matches3 = 71

|matches4 = 56

|runs1 = 646

|runs2 = 783

|runs3 = 535

|runs4 = 2,475

|bat avg1 = 35.88

|bat avg2 = 22.37

|bat avg3 = 22.15

|bat avg4 = 18.44

|100s/50s1 = 0/4

|100s/50s2 = 0/3

|100s/50s3 = 0/1

|100s/50s4 = 1/19

|top score1 = 84

|top score2 = 64*

|top score3 = 65

|top score4 = 110*

|deliveries1 = 2,540

|deliveries2 = 3,167

|deliveries3 = 1,291

|deliveries4 = 11,772

|wickets1 = 55

|wickets2 = 72

|wickets3 = 71

|wickets4 = 195

|bowl avg1 = 19.34

|bowl avg2 = 32.94

|bowl avg3 = 22.12

|bowl avg4 = 25.22

|fivefor1 = 5

|fivefor2 = 0

|fivefor3 = 0

|fivefor4 = 11

|tenfor1 = 1

|tenfor2 = 0

|tenfor3 = 0

|tenfor4 = 2

|best bowling1 = 6/38

|best bowling2 = 3/24

|best bowling3 = 3/9

|best bowling4 = 7/54

|catches/stumpings1 = 4/–

|catches/stumpings2 = 28/–

|catches/stumpings3 = 25/–

|catches/stumpings4 = 25/–

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}

|source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/554691.html ESPNcricinfo

|date = 25 March

|year = 2025

}}

Akshar Rajeshbai Patel,{{cite web|title=Akshar Patel|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/554691.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=1 February 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Axar Patel Profile - Cricket Player India {{!}} Stats, Records, Video |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/axar-patel-554691 |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} known simply as Axar Patel,{{cite web|title=Akshar Patel|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Akshar-Patel/51776.html|publisher=Wisden India|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025040529/http://www.wisdenindia.com/player/India/Akshar-Patel/51776.html|archive-date=25 October 2014|url-status=dead}} (born 20 January 1994) is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the national team in all formats of the game as an all-rounder as well as vice-captain of India in T20I format. He plays for Gujarat in domestic cricket and is the new captain of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He is a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He was an integral part of the squad that won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

He made his ODI debut on 15 June 2014 against Bangladesh. He was selected in India's 15-man squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. He made his Test debut for India against England on 13 February 2021, where he took 7 wickets.{{cite web|title=2nd Test, Chennai, Feb 13 - Feb 17 2021, England tour of India 2021|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-2020-21-1243364/india-vs-england-2nd-test-1243385/live-cricket-score|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=16 February 2021 |access-date=27 November 2022}} He became the ninth bowler for India to take a five-wicket haul on debut in Test cricket.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-england-axar-patel-joins-elite-list-after-taking-5-wicket-haul-on-test-debut-1769727-2021-02-16|title=India vs England: Axar Patel joins elite list after taking 5-wicket haul on Test debut|work=India Today|date=16 February 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}} He is best known for his consistent wicket taking ability in Test cricket.

Domestic career

In his second first-class match, against Delhi in November 2013, Patel took 6 for 55 in the first innings. This was his first five-wicket haul.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/domestic-cricket/ranji-trophy/Delhi-concede-slender-1st-innings-lead-as-Akshar-grabs-six/articleshow/25511944.cms|title=Delhi concede slender 1st innings lead as Akshar grabs six wickets|work=Times Of India|date=9 November 2013|access-date=27 November 2022}}

Patel played just one first-class game in his debut season for Gujarat, but had a more successful showing in 2013. Slotted primarily as a bowling allrounder, the left-arm spinner got his first IPL contract with Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2013, although he was on the bench for the entire season, the team won the title in that year.

He was one of the key contributors to India Under-23s' title win in the 2013 ACC Emerging Teams Cup, with seven wickets, including a four-for in the semi-final against UAE.[http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akshar-patel-spins-india-into-acc-emerging-teams-cup-final/1159163 Akshar Patel spins India into ACC Emerging Teams Cup final]. Indian Express. Retrieved 23 August 2013.

He was one of the consistent performers for Gujarat in the 2013/14 Ranji Trophy, finishing the season with 369 runs at an average of 46.12 and 29 wickets at 23.58. In early 2014, he was named the BCCI Under-19 cricketer of the year for the 2012/13 season.[http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=13§id=edid=&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=27-12-2013&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Ahmedabad&edname=&articleid=Ar01302&publabel=TOI Akshar named best U-19 cricketer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714191852/http://mobilepaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=13§id=edid=&edlabel=TOIA&mydateHid=27-12-2013&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Ahmedabad&edname=&articleid=Ar01302&publabel=TOI|date=14 July 2014}}. Times Of India^{(mobile site)}. Retrieved 18 June 2014.

In August 2019, he was named in the India Red team's squad for the 2019–20 Duleep Trophy.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27331972/shubman-gill-priyank-panchal-faiz-fazal-lead-duleep-trophy-sides|title=Shubman Gill, Priyank Panchal and Faiz Fazal to lead Duleep Trophy sides|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=6 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/duleep-trophy-2019-shubman-gill-faiz-fazal-and-priyank-panchal-to-lead-duleep-trophy-2019-squad-fixtures-schedule-876560|title=Duleep Trophy 2019: Shubman Gill, Faiz Fazal and Priyank Panchal to lead as Indian domestic cricket season opens|work=Cricket Country|date=6 August 2019|access-date=27 November 2022}} In October 2019, he was named in India C's squad for the 2019–20 Deodhar Trophy.{{cite magazine|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/deodhar-trophy-2019-squads-india-a-india-b-india-c-parthiv-patel-shubman-gill-anuma-vihari-ranchi/article29788595.ece|title=Deodhar Trophy 2019: Hanuma Vihari, Parthiv, Shubman to lead; Yashasvi earns call-up|magazine=Sportstar|date=24 October 2019}}

=IPL career=

Patel was signed up by the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians in 2013 but did not get a chance to play until he was released. He was then picked up by Kings XI Punjab in 2014 and had an impressive season with 17 wickets. He was retained by the Kings XI Punjab for the 2015 IPL season. Batting lower down the order, he scored 206 runs for the Kings XI Punjab in 2015 in addition to taking 13 wickets.{{cite web|url=http://www.iplt20.com/teams/kings-xi-punjab/squad/1113/Axar-Patel/|title=Axar Patel - Kings XI Punjab player|publisher=Indian Premier League|access-date=1 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421113853/http://www.iplt20.com/teams/kings-xi-punjab/squad/1113/Axar-Patel/|archivedate=21 April 2016|url-status=dead}} On 1 May 2016, during a match against the Gujarat Lions, he took four wickets in five balls, including the first (and only) hat-trick of the 2016 IPL season, to pave the way for Kings XI Punjab's 23-run win against table-toppers Gujarat Lions in Rajkot.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/79683/axar-patel-hat-trick-as-kxip-make-winning-ipl-2016-start-under-murali-vijay-against-gujarat-lions|title=Axar Patel 'tricks as KXIP make winning start under Murali Vijay|website=Cricbuzz|date=1 May 2016|access-date=27 November 2022}} He was retained by Kings XI Punjab for the 2018 season.

Axar Patel became the 9th Indian player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut and only the second left-arm spinner after Dilip Doshi to take a five-for in his debut Test.

In December 2018, he was signed up by the Delhi Capitals in the player auction for the 2019 Indian Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2019-auction-the-list-of-sold-and-unsold-players-1166896|title=IPL 2019 auction: The list of sold and unsold players|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 December 2018|access-date=27 November 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/ipl-auction-2019-who-got-whom/articleshow/67144375.cms|title=IPL 2019 Auction: Who got whom|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 December 2018|access-date=27 November 2022}} He was retained by Delhi capitals for the 2021 season.{{cite web|date=20 January 2021|title=Delhi Capitals reveal list of retained players ahead of IPL 2021 Auction|url=https://www.etvbharat.com/english/national/sports/cricket/delhi-capitals-reveal-list-of-retained-players-ahead-of-ipl-2023-mini-auction/na20221115184511261261878|website=Delhi Capitals|access-date=27 November 2022}}

International career

After excellent performance in the 2014 IPL, Patel was rewarded with a place in the Indian ODI squad for the tour to Bangladesh{{cite web|title=India vs Bangladesh 1st ODI: India romp to 7-wicket win|url=https://www.emirates247.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-bangladesh-1st-odi-india-romp-to-7-wicket-win-2014-06-15-1.552931|date=15 June 2014|website=Emirates 24/7|access-date=27 November 2022}} and made his ODI debut in the first match of series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and took 1/59 runs. He was part of India's 15-man squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

He made his Twenty20 International debut for India against Zimbabwe on 17 July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/885969.html|title=India tour of Zimbabwe, 1st T20I: Zimbabwe v India at Harare, Jul 17, 2015|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 July 2015|access-date=27 November 2022}} He was named as a stand-by player for India's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sports-news/icc-cricket-world-cup-2019-bcci-likely-to-take-last-minute-call-on-kedar-jadhavs-fitness-ambati-rayudu-axar-patel-on-standby-6637281.html|title=ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: BCCI likely to take last-minute call on Kedar Jadhav's fitness; Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel on standby|website=FirstCricket|date=15 May 2019|access-date=27 November 2022}}

In January 2021, Patel was named in India's Test squad for their series against England.{{cite web|last=Gollapudi|first=Nagraj|title=Kohli, Hardik, Ishant return to India's 18-member squad for England Tests|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1248503.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=19 January 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}} He made his Test debut against England on 13 February 2021 and made his comeback in international cricket after a gap of almost three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/axar-patel-makes-test-debut-kuldeep-yadav-replaces-washington-sundar-india-vs-england-2nd-test-1768822-2021-02-13|last=Sen|first=Rohan|title=India vs England: Axar Patel makes Test debut, Kuldeep Yadav finally gets a game after over 2 years|work=India Today|date=13 February 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}} His first international Test wicket was of Joe Root.{{cite news|title=India vs England: Debutant Axar Patel gets Joe Root as his maiden Test wicket|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-debutant-axar-patel-gets-england-skipper-joe-root-as-his-maiden-test-wicket-2875159/|date=14 February 2021|website=www.dnaindia.com|access-date=27 November 2022}} In the same match, he took a five wicket haul in England's second innings, becoming the ninth Indian bowler to do so on debut.{{cite news|date=16 February 2021|title=Axar Patel grabs maiden five-for on debut, joins Ashwin and Shami in elite list|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-england-axar-patel-grabs-maiden-five-for-on-debut-joins-ashwin-and-shami-in-elite-list-101613462290542.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=27 November 2022}} In the 3 matches he played in his debut series, he took 27 wickets at a mere average of 10.59, finishing as the second-highest wicket taker of the series.{{cite web|title=Records - ICC World Test Championship, 2019-2021 - Most Wickets|date=23 January 2022|work=ESPNcricinfo|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=13202;type=tournament|access-date=27 November 2022}} Later in the year, he scored his maiden Test half-century against New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-in-india-2021-22-1278658/india-vs-new-zealand-2nd-test-1278675/full-scorecard|title=2nd Test, Wankhede, December 03 - 06, 2021, New Zealand tour of India|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=27 November 2022}}

In September 2021, Patel was named in India's squad for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/india-s-2021-t20-world-cup-squad-r-ashwin-picked-ms-dhoni-named-mentor-1276821|last=Gollapudi|first=Nagraj|title=India's T20 World Cup squad: R Ashwin picked, MS Dhoni mentor|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 September 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}} However, on 13 October 2021, he was replaced by Shardul Thakur in India's squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.bcci.tv/articles/2021/news/155142/shardul-thakur-replaces-axar-patel-in-team-india-s-world-cup-squad|title=Shardul Thakur replaces Axar Patel in Team India's World Cup squad|publisher=Board of Control for Cricket in India|date=13 October 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}}

In November 2021, Patel was named in India's squad for New Zealand's tour of India in 2021.

In June 2022, Patel was named in India's squad for their T20I series against Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ire-vs-india-hardik-pandya-to-captain-india-in-ireland-t20is-rahul-tripathi-gets-maiden-call-up-1320109|title=Hardik Pandya to captain India in Ireland T20Is; Rahul Tripathi gets maiden call-up|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=8 September 2021|access-date=27 November 2022}}

On 25 July 2022, Patel scored his maiden ODI half-century against West Indies.{{cite news|title=India vs West Indies 2nd ODI Live Score Updates: Axar Patel slams maiden fifty to keep India in the hunt|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-west-indies/live-cricket-score-updates-india-vs-west-indies-2nd-odi/liveblog/93091072.cms|date=25 July 2022|access-date=27 November 2022|work=The Times of India}} He scored 64 runs off 35 balls, and remained unbeaten as he scored a match-winning six.{{cite web|title=Full Scorecard of West Indies vs India 2nd ODI 2022 - Score Report|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-west-indies-2022-1317885/west-indies-vs-india-2nd-odi-1317901/full-scorecard|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=24 July 2022|access-date=27 November 2022}}

In May 2024, he was named in India’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup tournament.{{Cite web |title=India's Squad for the ICC Men's T20I World Cup 2024 |url=https://www.scorewaves.com/news-details/cricket-team-world-cup-squad-icc-mens-t20i-world-cup-2024 |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=ScoreWaves |language=en}} In India's first match against Ireland, he took 1 wicket off just his one over. However, due to a quick run chase, he did not get a chance to bat.{{Cite web |title=IND vs IRE Cricket Scorecard, 8th Match, Group A at New York, June 05, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2024-1411166/india-vs-ireland-8th-match-group-a-1415708/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In India's second match against Pakistan, he took 1 wicket off his two overs, and made 20 runs off 18 balls with the bat.{{Cite web |title=IND vs PAK Cricket Scorecard, 19th Match, Group A at New York, June 09, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2024-1411166/india-vs-pakistan-19th-match-group-a-1415719/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In India's third match against the United States, he took 1 wicket at the economy of 8.33.{{Cite web |title=USA vs IND Cricket Scorecard, 25th Match, Group A at New York, June 12, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2024-1411166/united-states-of-america-vs-india-25th-match-group-a-1415725/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} India's fourth match against Canada was washed out with a ball bowled.{{Cite web |title=CAN vs IND Cricket Scorecard, 33rd Match, Group A at Lauderhill, June 15, 2024 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2024-1411166/canada-vs-india-33rd-match-group-a-1415733/full-scorecard |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}} In India's first match of the Super 8, against Afghanistan, he made 12 off 6 and took 1 wicket at the economy of 5.00. In India's second match of the Super 8, against Bangladesh, he made 3 runs and did not take a wicket but bowled 2 overs at the economy of 13.00. In India's third and final match of the Super 8, against Australia, he did not bat, but took 1 wicket at the economy of 7.00. In the semi-final against England, he was named the POTM, making 10 runs and taking 3 wickets. In the final against South Africa, he was crucial, taking a wicket at the economy rate of 12.33 and making a quickfire 47 off 31, with 4 sixes and 1 four.

Personal life

He married with Meha Patel on 26 January 2023 in Vadodara, Gujarat.{{Cite web |last=Faaduindia |first=Team |date=2023-01-31 |title=Axar Patel networth, girlfriend, Biography, height, age, family, facts and more |url=https://faaduindia.com/en/axar-patel-networth-girlfriend-biography/ |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=faaduindia.com |language=en-US}} He welcomed his son, Haksh, on 19 December 2024.{{Cite web |url=https://crictoday.com/cricket/daily-cricket-news/team-indias-all-rounder-axar-patel-and-wife-meha-welcome-baby-boy-reveal-their-childs-name/ |title=Team India's all-rounder Axar Patel and wife Meha welcome baby boy, reveal their child's name |date=2024-12-25 |publisher=CricToday}}

Awards

BCCI Under-19 cricketer of the Year 2014.
Emerging Player of the Tournament in 2014 IPL{{cite web|url=https://cricket.yahoo.com/photos/kings-xi-punjab-player-akshar-patel-winner-emerging-photo-203154968.html|title=Akshar Patel: Emerging Player of the Tournament in IPL 7|publisher=Yahoo Cricket|access-date=18 June 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002618/https://cricket.yahoo.com/photos/kings-xi-punjab-player-akshar-patel-winner-emerging-photo-203154968.html|archivedate=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}