Axar Patel’s (Bapu) thrilling near hat-trick was thwarted by Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch in the ICC Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh. Read about the pivotal moment and its impact on India’s strategy.
Bapu’s Near Miss: Rohit’s Drop Costs Axar a Hat-Trick at ICC Champions Trophy
A Spin Masterclass Interrupted
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off with a dramatic display of spin bowling and a heart-stopping moment of missed opportunity. Axar Patel, affectionately known as ‘Bapu’ in the Indian camp, was tantalizingly close to a hat-trick, only to see his chance slip away due to a dropped catch by captain Rohit Sharma.
Axar’s Dominance
Introduced into the attack in the ninth over, Axar immediately exerted his authority. His left-arm spin, precise and deceptive, proved too much for Bangladesh’s openers. Tanzid Hasan fell first, edging a delivery to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Mushfiqur Rahim followed suit, also edging a ball to Rahul, bringing Axar to the brink of a hat-trick.
The Crucial Drop
Jaker Ali faced the next ball, with two slips and a leg slip waiting. Axar bowled a slower, turning delivery, and Ali edged it towards Rohit Sharma at first slip. This was the moment of truth. Under immense pressure, Rohit dropped the crucial catch.
Rohit’s Apology and Team Dynamics
The reaction was immediate and telling. Rohit, visibly frustrated, showed his disappointment, but swiftly followed this with a humble apology to Axar. This demonstrated the strong bond within the Indian team and the captain’s understanding of the significance of the missed hat-trick for Axar and the team’s morale.
Missed Opportunity and Strategic Impact
Rohit’s drop prevented Axar from achieving a rare feat, a hat-trick in a Champions Trophy match. It would have been only the second hat-trick in the tournament’s history (after Jerome Taylor in 2006) and the fifth for India in ODIs. The missed opportunity undeniably affected the momentum of the match, particularly in the early stages.
The incident also highlighted India’s bold strategic choice to field five spinners. Pre-match, Rohit justified this decision, citing the suitability of the Dubai pitch for spin bowling. This initial success, however, was partly overshadowed by the dropped catch.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Pressure and Strategy
The opening day of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 delivered a compelling narrative: brilliant spin bowling, a missed opportunity, and a captain’s display of humility. Axar’s near-hat-trick and Rohit’s drop serve as powerful reminders of the high-pressure nature of international cricket and the crucial role of consistent execution. While India’s spin-heavy strategy showed early promise, the dropped catch underscored the need for unwavering focus throughout the tournament. The coming matches will reveal whether India can maintain their momentum and capitalise on their tactical choices. “
