Axar Patel Denied Hat-Trick by Rohit Sharma’s Dropped Catch in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Cricket News

Axar Patel’s dream of claiming a hat-trick in India’s opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh was dashed in a matter of seconds on Thursday. The left-arm spinner had the crowd roaring with two wickets in consecutive balls, only to be denied the rare milestone due to a missed catch by skipper Rohit Sharma.

A Perfect Start for Axar Patel

Introduced into the attack in the ninth over with Bangladesh struggling at 35/3, Axar wasted no time in making an impact. On just his second delivery, he sent Tanzid Hasan back to the pavilion for 25 runs, with a sharp ball that found the outside edge. The catch was safely collected by wicketkeeper KL Rahul.

The very next ball, Axar was in business again. He got Mushfiqur Rahim out for a golden duck, dismissing him in identical fashion with another edge collected by Rahul. With two wickets in two balls, the stage was set for a possible hat-trick.

The Heartbreaking Moment

With the Indian team buzzing in excitement, Axar stood ready to complete the historic feat. The stadium held its breath as Jaker Ali, the new batter, stepped up to face the hat-trick ball, with a packed slip cordon awaiting the moment of glory.

Axar bowled a precise delivery that angled slightly outside off, drawing Jaker forward. The ball took a thick outside edge and flew toward first slip. Rohit Sharma, positioned perfectly to take the catch, looked set to seal the deal. However, in a twist of fate, the Indian skipper fumbled the regulation catch, and the ball slipped through his fingers.

A frustrated Rohit struck the ground repeatedly, clearly aware of the missed opportunity. Despite the disappointment, Axar remained composed and continued his spell, knowing that cricket is a game of ups and downs.

Axar’s Reaction

After the match, Axar spoke about the eventful over and how he handled the moment. “A lot happened. I didn’t know if the Tanzid Hasan wicket was out, but KL appealed, and it was out. Then I got the second wicket. For 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]. I didn’t react and just came back. It’s part of the game,” Axar shared with the broadcasters.

He acknowledged the game’s challenges and looked forward to his contribution. “The wicket got easier to bat on, 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. I’m happy that the team trusts me a lot,” Axar added.

A Missed Opportunity, But a Team Effort

Despite missing out on the hat-trick, Axar’s two wickets helped put India in a commanding position. His performance in the early stages of the game was crucial in keeping Bangladesh under pressure. While Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch was a blow to Axar’s milestone, the team continued to show its strength, relying on the collective effort to take control of the match.

This moment serves as a reminder that in cricket, not everything goes as planned, but perseverance and focus are what truly make a player stand out. As Axar Patel continues to deliver for India, fans can look forward to more exciting moments in this thrilling tournament.

With the match progressing, India’s quest for victory will depend on how they continue to manage the game. Will they capitalize on Bangladesh’s early struggles? Time will tell, but Axar Patel’s resilience and commitment to the team’s cause are clear for all to see.