‘I started to celebrate the hat-trick and then … ‘: Axar Patel reacts to Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch

NEW DELHI: Axar Patel went from elation to disappointment in a matter of seconds after being denied a hat-trick throughout India’s opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Group A at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The left-arm spinner struck twice in two deliveries, rattling Bangladesh’s batting lineup, solely to be denied the uncommon milestone due to a dropped catch by skipper Rohit Sharma.

Introduced into the assault in the ninth over with Bangladesh struggling at 35/3, Axar made a right away affect.
On simply the second ball of his spell, he eliminated Tanzid Hasan (25 off 25) with a pointy supply that discovered the exterior edge, safely collected by wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Off the very subsequent ball, Mushfiqur Rahim fell for a golden duck in similar style — one other edge taken cleanly by Rahul behind the stumps. With two in two, Axar stood on the verge of a hat-trick, as the Indian crew erupted in anticipation.

The stadium fell silent as Axar ran in for his hat-trick supply. Jaker Ali, the new batter, confronted a packed slip cordon with two slips and a leg slip in place.
Axar delivered a exact ball angling barely exterior off, drawing Jaker ahead in defence. The ball took a thick exterior edge and flew towards first slip, the place Rohit Sharma was completely positioned to full the historic second.
But in a second of agony, the Indian skipper fumbled the regulation catch, letting the ball slip by means of his fingers. Frustrated, Rohit struck the floor repeatedly, totally conscious of the missed alternative.
Axar, although visibly upset, maintained his composure and continued his spell with focus.
“A lot happened. I didn’t know if it (Tanzid Hasan wicket) was out, but KL appealed and it was out. Then I got the second wicket. The third one, when the edge was found, I thought I got my hat-trick. It was an eventful over. I started to celebrate and then I saw it (Rohit dropping the catch),” Axar instructed broadcasters after Bangladesh innings.
“I didn’t react and just came back. It’s part of the game. The wicket got easier to bat and I think it’s an easy total to chase. It’s a slow wicket and as the ball gets older, it gets easier to bat. In the second innings, it’ll continue to remain slow. My role is to contribute whenever my team needs it. Happy that the team trusts me a lot,” he stated.