After India's seven-run win against England, cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar lavished praise on all-rounder Axar Patel for his outstanding fielding effort. Gavaskar said Axar is doing a great job filling the void left by Ravindra Jadeja and believes he could become one of India’s great players in the future.
While Sanju Samson’s brilliant 89 grabbed the spotlight, along with Jacob Bethell’s fighting century in England’s tense chase of 254 and Jasprit Bumrah’s tight spell of 1/33, Axar’s fielding also played a crucial role in India’s victory.
Axar took two stunning catches during the match. The first was a brilliant running catch to dismiss England captain Harry Brook. The second was a smart relay catch with Shivam Dube to get rid of Will Jacks. That moment broke a dangerous 77-run partnership between Jacks and Bethell for the fifth wicket and helped India regain control of the game.
Sunil Gavaskar on Axar Patel's performance
Speaking on Star Sports, Gavaskar praised Axar’s awareness and cricketing intelligence, especially during the relay catch with Dube. He also highlighted how Axar’s bowling continues to improve every year.
“Axar Patel’s catch to dismiss Harry Brook was unbelievable. Brook can take the game away, and you have to grab every chance to get his wicket, and Axar did that. He ran 24 meters away from his fielding spot, kept his eyes on the ball, balanced himself, and took the catch. Unbelievable stuff. He also played a key role in Will Jacks’ dismissal. The Bethell-Jacks partnership was taking the game away. But Axar ran to his left, grabbed the ball, and smartly passed it to Shivam Dube. That shows great cricketing intelligence,” said Gavaskar.
Gavaskar also spoke about Axar’s growth as an all-rounder and how his temperament could take him far in international cricket.
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“At the highest level, temperament separates the greats from the good. With his batting and bowling, Axar is going to be one of India’s great players. We had Ravindra Jadeja before him, and Axar is filling that void well. His bowling needs a little more polish. That will come with experience. His line, length, and speed are improving every year. The vice-captaincy means he is thinking about everyone’s game, not just his own. That is great for his growth,” he added.
Sunil Gavaskar also lauded Jasprit Bumrah
The legendary batter was also full of praise for Jasprit Bumrah, whose economical spell helped India maintain pressure even when other bowlers were conceding runs.
“Jasprit Bumrah is not just a once-in-a-generation bowler. He is a once-in-a-century kind of bowler. Because he plays all formats. Test matches, 50-over games, T20s. You give him the ball, he will deliver. Yes, there might be the odd match where he goes for runs. That is understandable. He is human after all. But more often than not, when it matters, Bumrah will bowl that crucial over. It might not always be a wicket-taking over. But he will give just seven or eight runs when others are going for 15 or 20,” he concluded.
India's batting against England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal
Earlier in the match, India posted a massive total of 253/7 after being put in to bat. Sanju Samson led the charge with an unbeaten 89 off 42 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes.
Samson also got massive support from Shivam Dube, who scored 43 off 25 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed 39 from just 18 deliveries. Hardik Pandya added a quick 27 off 12 balls, and Tilak Varma smashed 21 off only seven balls, helping India cross the 250 mark.
England’s chase had a shaky start as they slipped to 95/4. However, Jacob Bethell launched a strong counterattack with a brilliant 105 off 48 balls. Will Jacks also played an aggressive knock of 35 from 20 balls as the duo stitched together a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Even after Jacks’ dismissal, Bethell kept England in the hunt. A late cameo from Jofra Archer, who smashed 19 runs in just four balls, brought England very close to the target.