India vice-captain Axar Patel played a crucial role in the team's win against England in the T20 World Cup 2026 nail-biting semifinal, picking up two brilliant catches, removing Will Jacks and skipper Harry Brook. After India sealed their berth for the finale, Axar opened up about what was going through his mind when he lobbed the ball to Shivam Dube, leading to the crucial dismissal of Will Jacks.
How Axar and Dube picked Will Jacks catch
In the 14th over, Jacks sliced a delivery from Arshdeep Singh toward deep point. Axar sprinted to his left, caught the ball, and immediately relayed it to Shivam as he crossed the boundary ropes. The catch broke a dangerous partnership England was building and shifted momentum sharply in India’s favour.
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“It was pretty important to break that partnership. I thought at first that the ball was gone but then I realised that I can reach it. And I think credit has to go to Shivam as well. He didn’t come and collide with me. He was standing there. Main soch raha thha Shivam udhar khada hain, lob kar deta hoon toh woh easily pakad lega (I was thinking Shivam was standing right there so I can just lob the ball and he can easily catch it),” Axar said on Star Sports after the match.
Axar Patel's favourite catch in India vs England
Axar also said that his favourite moment in the field was the catch he took of Harry Brook. After Jasprit Bumrah deceived Brook with a change of pace, the England batter miscued the shot. The ball went high in the air and stayed up for over five seconds. Axar had to run toward the ropes with his head tilted back, eyes on the ball, and complete a diving catch just before it hit the ground.
“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.
India will now face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final which will take place on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.