Here is the full transcript of India all-rounder Axar Patel’s press conference after their 61-run defeat to India in the Group A clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo.
(Reporter:)
Surya talked about focusing on his own strengths and not worrying about what the opposition is because all the talk about their spin versus our batting. Now, this team message, is what really helped in such a dominant win that India only focused on their strengths and relaxed their strengths?
(Axar Patel 🙂
Of course we are – whatever the captain says, we focus on our strength and it’s external talk. Is there India vs Pakistan bowling betting or whatever/ We don’t think about that. We just think about our plan and execution when we bat or bowl, we just think if we bowl first then we are second what do we have to do? What was the wicket like? So we think about our game, we don’t think about our batting and their bowling and also it’s usually that we take it one game at a time. So today was the Pakistan team so we’re focusing on them and that’s our plan right now and we just discussed that
(Reporter:)
Do you still think that Pakistan should be considered as the main rival or the big rival because you have beaten them repeatedly and eight times and it takes the pressure off the India-Pakistan match?
(Axar Patel 🙂
See, we see them as a team. So we don’t think about that rivalry or anything. So we play against one team and concentrate only on cricket. So whenever I play, I don’t think about what other people are doing. I don’t know. But I take it as one match and opponent. So I don’t think of any rivalry or anything. So we the opposition came to play and we played good cricket. That’s all.
(Reporter:)
Akshar, in the past management of the team they used you as a swimmer in the batting line-up. We know you are versatile. Is there a different role in this team management, at number eight, number seven, attacking and finishing down? So I mean you’ve always been considered a team man. But does a team man know how to adapt anywhere? And how do you manage it?
(Axar Patel 🙂
So as an all-rounder, the job of an all-rounder is that you can shuffle anytime, you can bat anytime, you can do something in the field. So yeah, as an all-rounder, I always think that if your team needs me, that means they’re showing confidence in me to work in that situation. Or I will get them out of this situation. So for me, as a plus point, the team shows me confidence. And yes, you might see me higher up in the upcoming match as well – you never know, the type of game is cricket. You have to be prepared. T20 cricket is such that it is important to be flexible. If you want to win in such a tournament.
(Reporter:)
There was a big presence in the India jersey today. So when you played you must have felt like you were playing in your country or in Sri Lanka – Tell us about that?
(Axar Patel 🙂
No, so not just Sri Lanka – even in Australia or England, or last time when we played West Indies, it was the same. Most of the Indian supporters come to support us in Blue Jersey. So we never think about which country we are playing in. We only think about the goal on the ground and what is there. We play accordingly. And yes, people who want to come support us. It’s a good feeling. And it’s not only in Sri Lanka, but when we go to any other country, many people come to support us, it’s the same everywhere.
(Reporter:)
Axar, basically a few words about Ishan’s knock. On a pitch where Pakistan bowled 18 overs and in the first innings, the ball was spinning a lot according to the stats shown on TV. And there Ishan batting with a strike rate of 190 it must have been very difficult.
(Axar Patel 🙂
Yeah, of course the way he batted, I think it was one of the great shots because it wasn’t that easy, the ball was spinning, some of it went right under the light so it wasn’t easy, just the form he had in domestic cricket – he carried that into the New Zealand series and then he made a 50 in the last game – so if you don’t believe it, you don’t believe it. Of course there is also confidence and a lot of skill too. He didn’t hit all the shots in one place, he shot everywhere, over cover, slip – so he used the pitch well. So I think the credit goes to him.
(Reporter:)
We saw two different types of dismissals – Babur Azam going faster, bowling and Usman Khan caught on stump. It was a great submission. How do you plan different doughs? In this ballpark where you maybe have both options, if you could explain that a little bit. And second – there were pictures showing Rohit bhai talking to you all before the match, so what tips or pep talks were they?
(Axar Patel 🙂
So basically what happened at the wicket was the odd ball was sliding a bit more and some odd ball was spinning more, When we came in the second innings I was bowling the new ball and I realized the new ball was sliding a bit more – So the plan is what the batsman wants to do, what area he wants to target. Then I change the line or length. And the second statement was that he was performing. So I went to my length again. Because obviously in the first inning, the slow one I was throwing was spinning more. But that was a first. So yes, I plan to do it that way.
And the pep talks, yes, of course – it just stays inside – it was just about self-confidence and controlling emotions in such moments and that’s very important so that the pressure is not too much. So that was it.
(Reporter:)
Usman hit you with two straight shots today. And then you planned that if he hit now, you’d mix it up a little too far. And secondly, the middle goal was very big. You couldn’t hit a six there. Any spinner so they can pull the ball that way – towards extra cover.
(Axar Patel 🙂
I guess they can only tell you what they thought. But yes, when the ground is big, as a batsman you aim for short boundaries. If the ball is spinning nicely and someone is sliding, they probably don’t want to get in the way. So that’s why he doesn’t aim. And secondly, the way they performed. So I thought I wouldn’t put it out but put my line back. And if they go for a backhand, I thought to myself – I’ll throw it out. So that’s generally the plan.
(Reporter:)
Today, two spinners, you and your opponent, so it was based on the wicket call or the team, and secondly, do India see Pakistan as a pressure team or just a normal team?
(Axar Patel 🙂
Yes, there is pressure. We normally think about it, but obviously there is pressure. People around you or your family or friends talk to you about it. So yes, there is a bit more pressure than a normal match. As professional cricketers, we only focus on controlling our emotions. We don’t think too much about the rivalry or put extra pressure on ourselves because of it.
Yes, about the three spinners – sir, we feel the selection should be pitch wise. And also we shouldn’t make too many changes for a particular match in such a big tournament. And if the pitch helps you, you go for it. If your bowler does your job, then batsmen are very important at such a time – So, that was the planning and we made the team combination accordingly.
(Reporter:)
At what stage was the team sure the match was in the bag? And secondly, you were more than 70 meters apart and it was very difficult to remove the fence. how hard And in this context Ishan was clearing the fence. So what do you think about it?
(Axar Patel 🙂
Yes, of course, it’s a big ground, everybody’s hit a couple of sixes – so we don’t think it’s a long boundary or a short boundary, but yes, as a batsman you think that – this side is a longer boundary so we don’t hit that side – so it’s not that we’re only targeting short boundaries – and the way he’s hitting is good for us.
Victory – when the last goal fell, we believed we would win. Because – in cricket it’s obviously not like that, even though we played the 14th match we discussed, we stay normal, calm and composed until the 14th match and only after the last wicket falls, only we win. This was discussed until the end, until the 14th.