‘All of us are keen to prove that we belong here’ – Team India all-rounder Axar Patel’s bold verdict ahead of T20I series vs Australia

Team India and Australia are all set to face each other in the first T20I of the five match series, slated to take place on November 23. Notably, both teams were finalists of the ODI World Cup 2023; however, the Men in Yellow completely outclassed the hosts in the final game of November 19 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.

However, despite the heartbreaking and crushing defeat against the Aussies, India’s star cricketer, Axar Patel, is confident about beating them. The great all-rounder feels it is time to move on, as they only have a handful of matches ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. In addition, the middle-order batter is set to show his talent against Australia.

“Everyone knows that we suffered heartbreak in the World Cup final. But it’s time to move on. We have a young team that will play Australia in the T20Is. All of us are keen to prove that we belong here. There’s a lot of energy in the team. It’s just that we only have 10-11 T20 international matches to go before the T20 World Cup to make an impression. So, all of us have been told to play according to our strengths,” Axar Patel said on Jio Cinema.

Just want to continue doing what I was before the injury: Axar Patel

Axar Patel has also opened up about the injuries that made him miss the ODI World Cup in 2023. The 29-year-old cricketer wanted to continue his best play, just as it was ahead of the marquee event. Moreover, the Gujarat-born cricketer reveals that he is fit in all three departments after injuries.

“The mindset remains the same as what it was before I had to miss the World Cup due to injury. But I am fit again and am keen on doing well in all departments of the game. I have not made any changes and am focusing on the processes. I don’t want to make much changes to my mindset. Just want to continue doing what I was before the injury,” he added further.