NEW DELHI: Axar Patel went from elation to disappointment in a matter of seconds after being denied a hat-trick during India’s opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Group A at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The left-arm spinner struck twice in two deliveries, rattling Bangladesh’s batting lineup, only to be denied the rare milestone due to a dropped catch by skipper Rohit Sharma.
Introduced into the attack in the ninth over with Bangladesh struggling at 35/3, Axar made an immediate impact.
On just the second ball of his spell, he removed Tanzid Hasan (25 off 25) with a sharp delivery that found the outside edge, safely collected by wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Off the very next ball, Mushfiqur Rahim fell for a golden duck in identical fashion — another edge taken cleanly by Rahul behind the stumps. With two in two, Axar stood on the verge of a hat-trick, as the Indian team erupted in anticipation.
The stadium fell silent as Axar ran in for his hat-trick delivery. Jaker Ali, the new batter, faced a packed slip cordon with two slips and a leg slip in place.
Axar delivered a precise ball angling slightly outside off, drawing Jaker forward in defence. The ball took a thick outside edge and flew toward first slip, where Rohit Sharma was perfectly positioned to complete the historic moment.
But in a moment of agony, the Indian skipper fumbled the regulation catch, letting the ball slip through his fingers. Frustrated, Rohit struck the ground repeatedly, fully aware of the missed opportunity.
Axar, though visibly disappointed, maintained his composure and continued his spell with focus.
“A lot happened. I didn’t know if it (Tanzid Hasan wicket) was out, but KL appealed and it was out. Then I got the second wicket. The third one, when the edge was found, I thought I got my hat-trick. It was an eventful over. I started to celebrate and then I saw it (Rohit dropping the catch),” Axar told broadcasters after Bangladesh innings.
“I didn’t react and just came back. It’s part of the game. The wicket got easier to bat and I think it’s an easy total to chase. It’s a slow wicket and as the ball gets older, it gets easier to bat. In the second innings, it’ll continue to remain slow. My role is to contribute whenever my team needs it. Happy that the team trusts me a lot,” he said.
