India’s catching had been below par in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 but fielding coach T Dilip’s fielding drills finally paid off in the semifinal clash against England. Axar Patel turned out to be India’s best fielder at Wankhede Stadium as he pulled off spectacular catches on a night where bowlers were whacked for fours, sixes and batters reigned supreme. Axar took a spectacular catch running back from 30-yard circle to dismiss Harry Brook. Later, he pulled off a sensational relay catch with Shivam Dube to get rid of Will Jacks who was going all guns blazing alongside Jacob Bethell. After India’s seven-run win, Axar revealed that he wasn’t sure he would reach the ball in time. However, he picked the catch he took of Brook as his favourite.
“The catch of Brook was one of my most favourite catches because I was running away from the wicket. Taking a catch like that is one of the most difficult things to do. Your vision on the ball is a little shaky. If you look at the replay of the catch, I took a small pause right before taking the catch. That’s how I could catch it (and not overrun the ball). It’s one of my most favourite catches because it was a pressure situation,” Axar told Parthiv Patel on Star Sports.
Axar praises Dube for relay catch
Axar also lauded Shivam Dube for not charging at him and staying in position to take the catch when he was running towards boundary ropes.
“The other catch, I was running sideways, but for the first one, I was running away. The second catch was important too, because breaking the partnership was very important. I initially thought I wouldn’t get there, but then realised I could reach. Credit should also go to Shivam because he hung back and did not charge into me.
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“When I took that catch, I had noticed from the corner of my eye that I was running towards the boundary ropes. It was a fraction-of-a-second decision,” Axar added.
Earlier, Axar had taken the catch of Phil Salt in the second over as well. He conceded 35 runs from three overs. The left-arm spinner got the wicket of Tom Banton after going for two sixes in his first over.