'Only Speak When It's Time to...': Axar Patel's Cryptic Post After Match-winning Performance

Leaving behind the disappointment of missing the cut for the 2023 ODI World Cup at the last minute, Axar Patel is intent on making the most of the opportunities coming his way.

A left quadricep injury meant Axar had to be left out from India’s world cup squad and having made a full recovery, he’s made an impressive return to international cricket.

On Friday, he took three wickets in four overs to set up India’s series-clinching win in the 4th T20I against Australia. So far, he’s taken five wickets from four games.

India recently named their squads for the South Africa tour with Axar making the cut in only one of them. He’s been picked for the ODIs with India preferring Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar ahead of him in the T20Is for the role of allrounder.

When asked if that had any bearing on his performances, the 29-year-old said, “It is not like that, if I would have gone for runs then you would have said that I was upset. I was normal.

“…there was nothing in my mind that I have to prove myself for that. I have been doing well and this is not my decision and I didn’t think much about that. I am just happy I got wickets today,” he added.

On Saturday, Axar shared a couple of pictures of his from the 4th T20I that saw him winning player-of-the-match award.

“Move in silence. Only speak when it’s time to say checkmate,” he wrote.

Axar though says he was ‘upset’ at having missed the chance to play in a world cup at home.

“Obviously, you are bound to be (disappointed). The World Cup was in India, but that injury happened. For the first few days, I was thinking about it, not being able to play due to injury,” Axar said after the match.

“But, the team was doing well, so after 5-10 days, I was back to training and was doing my rehab. But, yes, when you are out due to injury and those 5-10 days you are not able to do anything, you do feel a bit bad. After that, I returned to routine life. I was upset, but it happened due to an injury; it’s not in anyone’s hands. It’s part and parcel of the game,” he added.