India's star all-rounder explains his favourite fielding moment
India secured a phenomenal seven-run triumph against England during the recent high-scoring T20 World Cup semi-final. While fans witnessed massive performances from players like Sanju Samson, who smashed 89 runs off just 42 deliveries, and Jasprit Bumrah, who maintained a brilliant economy rate of 8.25 in a game featuring 499 total runs, fielding truly stole the show. One player stood out specifically for his incredible defensive efforts that turned the momentum in favour of the Men in Blue.
Vice-captain Axar Patel delivered two of this year's most jaw-dropping moments on the boundary line. Recently speaking with former cricketer Parthiv Patel on JioHotstar, he surprised many by revealing his personal favourite between the two grabs. Most fans cannot stop discussing his phenomenal relay effort to dismiss Will Jacks in the deep. However, the skilled all-rounder actually prefers his earlier effort to remove English skipper Harry Brook.
Taking place in the fifth over, this dismissal required intense concentration and flawless footwork. Bumrah bowled a clever slower delivery that deceived Brook, sending the ball soaring into the night sky for over five seconds. Running backward towards the ropes with his head tilted up is notoriously difficult for any fielder. Patel noted that keeping your eyes tracked on a moving target while sprinting away from the pitch severely disrupts your vision. He explained that taking a tiny, calculated pause just before diving backward allowed him to complete the remarkable grab securely and handle the immense match pressure.
Later in the match, during the 14th over, another spectacular defensive play unfolded. Arshdeep Singh bowled a wide full toss which Jacks smashed hard toward the boundary. Sprinting to his left at deep cover, Patel secured the flying ball mid-stride while completely off-balance. Realiing his momentum would carry him over the boundary ropes after just five shaky steps, he tossed it gracefully back to Shivam Dube. Interestingly, Dube officially gets the credit on the scorecard, but cricket enthusiasts know exactly who did the heavy lifting. Despite the viral nature of this relay, Patel remains steadfast that tracking Brook's high ball under pressure was his ultimate fielding achievement.
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