India’s Axar Patel (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Mumbai: The North Stand of the Wankhede Stadium gives Axar Patel When he took up his long fielding position, the crowd erupted in applause. The applause is well deserved. In a span of around 40 minutes, Axar produced game-changing defensive efforts that will be etched in Indian cricket folklore, just like Kapil Dev’s catch in the 1983 World Cup final and Suryakumar Yadav’s effort in the summit clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup.The 32-year-old had already collected a catch from Phil Salt before creating the moment that boosted the team’s morale and inspired the crowd. it starts with Jasprit Bumrah Harry Brooke deceived him with a slower delivery in the first ball of his spell. The England captain skated and the ball looked set to land safely at deep cover. Axar is stationed inside the ring, confident he can make it to the ring. He sprinted backwards with full concentration, perfectly judged the ball’s trajectory, then swooped forward to make a spectacular diving catch inches from the ground.

The second attack came in the 14th over and the game turned decisively in India’s favour. Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks threatened to score 77 runs off 39 balls for the fifth wicket.Jacks chipped a complete pass from Arshdeep Singh deep into the post and the ball was in the air again. Aksa, who was patrolling the boundary, rushed over, kept his balance and just when he seemed to be losing control, he passed the ball to Shivam Dube before crossing the boundary and England reduced the deficit to 172/5.In between these efforts, Axar also used his ball-handling skills to slow down the tempo and dismiss Tom Banton, who scored over 350 runs. He could have blinded him again at long-on as Bethel approached his century, but the chance slipped away and went over the line.India’s defense has been a concern in the T20 World Cup, with 13 catches missing before the semi-finals. But the team, led by Axar, has excelled on the field and seized every opportunity – a positive sign heading into Sunday’s final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad.When asked which of the two catches he cherished more, Aksa humorously replied “the ball decided to chase me.” He added that Brooke’s catch was difficult but Jacks’ dismissal was more crucial as it broke a dangerous partnership.Axar may not have the aura of some of his teammates and is sometimes overlooked. He had to hand over T20 vice-captain to Shubman Gill He made two appearances as a substitute during the 2025 Asia Cup against Netherlands and South Africa at home at the Narendra Modi Stadium.Yet Surya’s deputy has always been a team player. During these games, he was in the dugout with a drink in hand, cheering on his teammates and patiently waiting for his chance — something he has done throughout his career. Axar has taken eight wickets in six games with left-arm spin and has an economy rate of 8.09, the second-highest among Indian bowlers behind Bumrah’s 6.62.The Gujarat all-rounder also missed the 2023 World Cup due to injury and thus had to wait to play in the ICC tournament at home. With Aqsa now certain to play in Sunday’s final, he is eager to play in front of his home crowd – with his son watching him live “for the first time”.“I think that’s why I didn’t play in those two games (because I had to play in the final) because it was very important to me,” Aksa said. “I have been waiting for years to play at my home ground in front of my family. It is a very proud moment. Two years later, I will be playing at my home ground – and also in the ICC World Cup final.”Responding to trolls on social media calling the Ahmedabad Stadium a “jinx”, Aksa smiled and replied: “I didn’t play in that match (2023 World Cup final), so now I think the curse will be broken!”