1) Axar Patel’s real name is Akshar. Axar’s principal had mispelt his name as ‘Axar’ in the school leaving certificate. And when Axar was picked to tour Bangladesh, he got his passport and they went by the official name in school record. So, this is now Akshar became Axar.
2) Axar didn’t want to become a cricketer. He started playing competitive cricket just 4 years ago. Axar was a late starter and he had no idea about competitive cricket till 4 years ago.
3) Axar Patel’s father forced him to play cricket initially. Axar’s father used to check his white clothes to see how hard he is working in the nets.
4) Axar Patel’s friend Dhiren Kansara also helped him a lot in his early days. When Axar was in class nine, Dhiren persuaded him to play an inter-school tournament.
5) Initially, Axar Patel was very scared of leather ball. He once said no to a cricket tournament because he thought he did not want to get by a leather ball.
6) Axar Patel wanted to become an engineer. Axar was a very bright scholar during his school days and he stood first in school till class X.
7) Axar Patel’s grandmother also wanted him to play for India and she always wanted to see Axar playing in blue t-shirt (India jersey). But, unfortunately, she died before Axar made his debut for India. She died while Axar was playing a district game and he couldn’t even be there for her funeral.
8) Axar Patel grew up idolizing Yuvraj Singh. He still wants to bat like Yuvraj Singh one day.
9) Axar Patel was picked by Mumbai Indians in 2013 but was on the bench for the entire season.
10) Axar Patel was one of the key contributors to India Under-23s’ title win in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2013, with seven wickets, including a four-for in the semi-final against UAE.
11) Axar Patel made a very impressive start to his first class (FC) career. He took his first five-wicket haul in his first-class career in only his second match. He took 6 for 55 against Delhi.
12) In early 2014, Axar Patel was named the BCCI Under-19 cricketer of the year for the 2012/13 season.
13) Axar Patel was named the Emerging Player of the Tournament in IPL 7.[
14) Axar Patel made his ODI debut in the first match of series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
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By The Cricket Lounge
