Axar Patel press conference: “We see them as a team, we don’t see a rivalry” after India beat Pakistan
But it could also have a personal undertone.Usman endeared himself to Axar as he hit six boundaries, including two consecutive fours, in a 34-ball knock.However, the decisive moment of his recall lacked any dramatic momentum.There was none of the magic that Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy often produce – no outside-off off-stump or a shot that flies past the batter.Axar, on the other hand, never relied on theatrics.Even on supporting surfaces like the one at Premadasa, it is his intelligent variations in length – born of keen observation – that make him such a difficult proposition.Axar subtly pulled his length back, anticipating Usman’s attack down the track. As Kishan completed the formalities behind the stumps, the Pakistan batsman could only wave in hope.Axar later outlined his approach.“Basically what was happening on the wicket, the odd ball was sliding a bit more and some of the other balls were spinning more. When we came to bowl in the second innings, I realized the new ball was sliding a bit more,” Axar said at the post-match press conference.“So the plan is to observe what the batsman wants to do, what area he wants to target me. Then I change the line or the length. And the second dismissal (of Usman) was when he was out. So I went for my length again. So yes, I plan it like that,” he added.Earlier, Axar also ended Babar Azam’s restless 16-minute stay at the crease.Sensing Babar’s growing impatience, the 32-year-old slid in a fuller delivery on the off-stump, tempting the former Pakistan skipper to loosen up.The sweep attempt failed and Babar lost his stumps.“He has always been a kid with a big heart. His biggest strength is his ability to observe and put those observations into practice. He clearly knows what his strengths are and what his limitations are. It’s a good quality for an athlete,” said Amrish Patel, Axar’s childhood coach.“Axar has a long stride and he uses it well because he can adjust his lengths quickly without obvious signals to the batsmen. He has a very flexible mind,” he added.Axar carries this adaptability into his batting as well, although his skills with the bat were not required against Pakistan.More than his batting or the number of runs he contributes, Axar focuses on fulfilling the instructions of the team management.In white-ball cricket, he made his mark at positions from No. 4 to No. 8.While many batsmen prefer stability in their batting roles, Axar sees flexibility as an advantage.“The job of being an all-rounder is that you can shuffle or hit on any order. I always think that if the team needs me, that means it shows confidence in me to work in that situation.”“And I will get them out of that situation. So that’s a plus point for me. And yes, maybe you’ll see me (the bat) higher in the upcoming match as well – you never know,” Axar said.But for now, batsman Axar is content to play a supporting role to bowler Axar – the version India need most in this T20 World Cup.