Axar Patel: Told myself I will give 100 per cent whenever I get an opportunity

Indian bowler Axar Patel celebrates the dismissal of England`s Jofra Archer on the first day of the 3rd cricket test match between India and England, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pic/AFP

It was a long wait for Axar Patel and it didn't help that everyone around him had just one question for the past three years - "Why aren't you in the Indian team?".
But Patel was unfazed as he knew, his time would come. "I think it's all about confidence," said Axar, 27, who wanted to be a mechanical engineer growing up but was prodded into trying his hand at cricket by a school friend.

With his record 11 wickets in the day-night third Test against England, the left-arm spinner finally found his big moment in international cricket, seven years after he made his India debut in an ODI against Bangladesh.

"When you are out of the team, many people, friends keep asking you ‘why aren't you in the team despite doing well?' These things keep coming in the mind," said the bowler who has 152 wickets in 41 first-class game at an impressive average of 25.25.

"So, I told myself ‘just wait for the right time and whenever I get an opportunity I will give my 100 per cent'." Axar's foray into cricket as a 15-year-old on the persuasion of a school friend had a solid backer in his grandmother, who wanted to see him play for India but passed away before he made it.

The lanky cricketer does not forget to acknowledge the role his family has played even though a spelling mistake by his father Rajeshbhai Patel at school had led to his name becoming Axar from Akshar. "I give all credit to my family, friends and teammates who supported me in tough times," he said.

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