Axar Patel says timing, not power, helped him bounce back in first ODI against England

India all-rounder Axar Patel said his player-of-the-match performance in the first ODI against England was the result of a change in batting approach after struggling in the preceding T20I series. He said he focused on timing the ball instead of trying to hit it too hard, helping India seal a four-wicket win in the series opener at Edgbaston.

Axar returned figures of 4/41 before scoring a composed 57 off 52 balls, featuring five fours and a six, as India chased down 259 with 28 balls to spare. Captain Shubman Gill made 80, while Washington Sundar added 52 in the successful chase.

"It was very important for me to deliver this kind of performance. As for my mindset, I needed to keep at it. I had to stay focused rather than thinking it would just happen on its own. I had to have self-belief and execute my plans. I feel like I was trying to hit the ball too hard during the T20Is," Axar told JioStar after the match.


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"When you go in to bat in the death overs, you don't have any other option but to go for big shots, but I was losing my shape a little. So, when I went in to bat in this game, obviously after we got a great start, I just wanted to build a partnership," he said.

Axar managed just 19 runs in the T20I series, which India lost 0-4. He said his approach changed in the ODI because he had more time to build his innings.

"I wasn't trying to hit the ball too hard because I knew I had time and could afford to take a few balls as well. I was focusing on my timing. On this kind of wicket, it is very important to trust the bounce. Once you start reading it well, I think you can score runs," he said.

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Reflecting on the conditions at Edgbaston, Axar said the pitch was challenging for new batters and rewarded those who spent time at the crease.

"...whoever was new to the crease found it very difficult to come in and start hitting straight away. Even for them, it became easier for Joe Root and Liam Dawson once the partnership was set.

"So I think spending some time at the crease after coming in to bat was very important. On such wickets, you cannot come in and play shots on the rise immediately because there was bounce, and it was swinging and seaming as well. You have to give yourself that little bit of time, and after that, you could play your shots," he said.

Axar also credited the return of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul for bringing stability and confidence to the side.

"Obviously, we have been playing alongside each other for a long time. Over time, you form a strong camaraderie, and that brings a sense of confidence because we have won a lot of matches together, and we've lost a few as well.

"But that confidence is there because everyone knows their roles and what they need to do. There is unity, the team gels well together, and you can see that on the field too, with the banter and fun everyone was having. It creates a very relaxed atmosphere," he said.

India and England will face each other in the second ODI in Cardiff on Thursday.