India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh was filled with high-intensity cricket, but one moment stole the spotlight—Axar Patel’s almost hat-trick, which was thwarted by Rohit Sharma’s shocking drop at first slip.
A Fiery Start by India’s Bowlers
Opting to bat first, Bangladesh had the worst possible start. Mohammed Shami struck in the very first over, sending Soumya Sarkar back to the pavilion. Harshit Rana followed up in the third over, removing captain Najmul Shanto. Bangladesh was reeling at 35/5 within the powerplay, with Shami and Axar Patel leading the destruction.
Axar Patel’s Magic Over
The defining moment of the innings came in the ninth over when Axar Patel took the ball. The left-arm spinner removed Tanzid Hasan with a sharp turner that found the outside edge, safely taken by the keeper. On the very next delivery, Mushfiqur Rahim fell in identical fashion—caught behind again. The stage was set for Axar’s hat-trick.
On the hat-trick ball, Jaker Ali edged one straight to first slip, where Rohit Sharma stood poised. But in an unbelievable turn of events, the Indian captain fumbled the chance, dropping what seemed to be a routine catch. Axar was left stunned, while Rohit smacked the ground in frustration, fully aware that he had just denied his teammate a special moment.
Axar’s Reaction: A Calm Acceptance
Despite the disappointment, Axar Patel remained composed. Speaking after the match, he shared his reaction to the drop:
“Honestly, I started celebrating when the ball went to Rohit. Then I realized he dropped it. What to do? Happens to everyone.”
His calm demeanor showed his professionalism, even in a moment that could have been a career-defining achievement.
Towhid Hridoy’s Fightback and India’s Response
Bangladesh, though battered early, found a hero in Towhid Hridoy. The middle-order batter played a valiant knock, scoring a brilliant century while battling cramps. He, along with Jaker Ali (68), stitched together a record-breaking 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a respectable 228 before being bowled out.
India, in response, chased down the target with ease. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten century led the way, supported by KL Rahul, as India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Looking Ahead
Despite the missed hat-trick, Axar Patel played a crucial role in India’s bowling dominance. With this convincing win, India now shifts its focus to a high-stakes clash against Pakistan on February 23. Meanwhile, Bangladesh will look to bounce back against New Zealand in their next fixture.
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