Tag: Axar Patel

Early Life & Background

Axar Rajeshbhai Patel was born on January 20, 1994, in Nadiad, Gujarat. His father, Rajeshbhai Patel, worked as a stockbroker, and his mother, Jyoti Patel, was a homemaker. Raised in a modest, middle-class household alongside his elder brother Shripal, Axar grew up with strong values, discipline, and a deep-rooted love for cricket.

From a young age, Axar showed remarkable talent in both batting and spin bowling. He would spend hours playing taped-ball cricket in the narrow lanes of his neighborhood, mimicking the actions of his idols, Sourav Ganguly and Brad Hogg. By the age of 10, he was already bowling leg-breaks with impressive control.

Recognizing his son’s passion and potential, Rajeshbhai enrolled him in the Gujarat Cricket Academy in Ahmedabad. There, Axar refined his skills—learning wrist-spin, flight, and variations under expert coaching. As time passed, his ability to read batsmen and his calm approach quickly stood out.

As he moved through age-group cricket, Axar became known for his discipline, hard work, and attention to detail. Consequently, coaches saw in him a rare mix of temperament and talent. By the time he reached school-level tournaments, it was clear: Axar Patel was more than just a promising cricketer—he was an all-rounder in the making.

Personal Traits & Lifestyle

Mental Strength & Game Awareness

On the field, Axar remains calm and observant. He doesn’t rush into celebration or get overwhelmed by pressure; instead, he sets strategic fields and reacts quickly to batsmen’s moves. This analytical calmness helped him read match situations early on, allowing him to shape both his bowling and batting approach accordingly.

Moreover, he displays natural leadership. Within the domestic arena, Axar often guided younger players and advised captains on pitch reading and field placement. In fact, commentators have frequently praised his ability to act as an on-field coach—someone who communicates with clarity and discipline.

Fitness & Training

Axar takes a well-rounded approach to fitness. As a spinning all-rounder, he needs both body strength and flexibility. Therefore, he focuses on shoulder and core workouts to maintain bowling rhythm and power-hitting ability in the lower order. His typical weekly training includes plyometrics, flexibility routines, and consistent fielding drills.

In addition, he maintains a clean diet featuring protein-rich vegetarian meals, occasionally interspersed with lean meat for variety. Furthermore, his morning sessions often include yoga and foam rolling, which aid in recovery and enhance mobility.

Lifestyle & Hobbies

Off the field, Axar enjoys watching old Gujarati and Hindi movies, with Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar among his favorites. Before matches, he often meditates to stay centered and composed. He also cherishes simple meals with his family back in Nadiad. Because of his warm interactions and humble nature, he earned the nickname “the gentleman spinner” among teammates.

Personal Life (Family, Marriage, Etc.)

Axar married Meha Patel on 26 January 2023 in Vadodara, Gujarat. Later, the couple welcomed their son, Haksh, on 19 December 2024. Their relationship, though largely private, reflects shared values and mutual support. According to teammates, Meha’s encouragement—especially during the 2023 Asia Cup and 2024 season—lifted Axar’s spirits during demanding phases.

Despite his professional commitments, he remains deeply rooted in family traditions—praying daily, celebrating Gujarati festivals in Nadiad, and returning home whenever possible. In interviews, he often says that staying connected to family “keeps me normal.” While he hasn’t disclosed detailed plans for fatherhood publicly, it’s evident that his focus remains on cricket and maintaining harmony in family life.

Youth & Domestic Career

Gujarat Age-Group Cricket

Axar represented Gujarat U-16 in 2009 and steadily progressed to the U-19 and U-22 levels by 2012. During this phase, he proved valuable with both bat and ball, emerging as a dependable all-rounder. Coaches regularly praised his adaptability—especially his ability to adjust to both spin-friendly and pace-supporting surfaces.

Ranji Trophy Breakthrough

He made his first-class debut in the 2013–14 season, delivering 3/28 in his maiden Ranji match. That same season, he took 28 wickets at an impressive average of 18.70. As his bowling matured, so did his batting. By mid-career, he was contributing valuable lower-order runs—often between 50 and 60 per innings.

500–30 All-Round Domestic Season (2016–17)

During the 2016–17 Ranji season, Axar closed with over 500 runs and 35 wickets, earning widespread recognition for his dual impact. Notably, that season put him on the selectors’ radar and is still regarded as one of the most balanced domestic all-round campaigns in recent memory.

Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Records

He later guided Gujarat to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final (2019–20) and featured in India A vs Afghanistan trials. Additionally, he represented Gujarat in the Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy, gaining exposure across formats and showcasing his evolving bowling variations.

Throughout his domestic career, Axar maintained a tight economy and consistent wicket-taking ability—averaging around 3.5 runs per over in List A and T20 formats, while maintaining a sub-4 bowling average in longer formats.

International Debut Timeline

• Test debut: February 13, 2021, vs England

• ODI debut: June 15, 2014, vs Bangladesh

• T20I debut: July 17, 2015, vs Zimbabwe

IPL Career

Early Years with Kings XI Punjab

Axar Patel began his IPL journey with Kings XI Punjab, having been picked up in the 2015 auction for ₹1.8 crore. Between 2015 and 2017, he played 30 matches, claiming 22 wickets at an economy rate of 7.90. He quickly became known for his tight lines, quick-arm action, and control in the middle overs. One of his most memorable spells came in IPL 2017 against Mumbai Indians, where he secured a match-winning 4/26, proving his ability to perform in pressure moments.

Rise with Delhi Capitals

In 2018, Axar made the move to Delhi Capitals, a decision that proved pivotal in his IPL growth.

• In 2019, he emerged as the team’s leading spinner, taking 23 wickets in 14 matches at a stellar economy of 6.80.

• In 2020, he had a standout all-round season with 18 wickets and 200 runs, playing a key role in Delhi’s run to their maiden IPL final.

• The 2021 season saw him continue with 14 wickets, contributing significantly to the team’s top-four finish.

• In 2022–2023, he picked up 25 wickets across two seasons, further establishing himself as one of the most reliable spinners in the IPL.

Fitness, Injuries & Comebacks

Axar has consistently maintained his fitness through a disciplined blend of gym workouts, shoulder conditioning, and rotational drills. However, in 2023, a mild wrist sprain forced him to miss two ODIs against New Zealand. Fortunately, with proper physiotherapy and a guided rehab program, he made a swift return within three weeks.

To ensure longevity, he prioritizes recovery through yoga, soft-tissue therapy, physiotherapy sessions, and workload management, especially with bowling. This carefully curated routine has helped him maintain stamina and precision across long Test matches and demanding IPL campaigns.