‘Champions Trophy is on my mind but don’t want to think too much’

Champions Trophy is on the back of my mind, I have to do well in (IPL).If I will think too much I will put pressure on myself.

INDORE: Axar Patel was turning out to be an economical spin all-rounder for India till a thumb injury sidelined him at the end of last year. The 23-year-old from Anand, Gujarat, missed the ODI series against England and the Ranji Trophy final for Gujarat.

At that point, Axar was No 9 in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers and the No 1 among Indians. Since then, he has slipped to No 11 but remains the highestranked Indian bowler in ODIs.

Looking ahead at the Champions Trophy in June, Axar knows that his absence from international cricket may hamper his chances of getting selected for the tournament in England. Axar is taking the Indian Premier League (IPL) as his last chance to put his case forward for national selection. Even I was surprised as I was brought in the first over. Against RCB, the total we were chasing was low and we got a good start. RCB had two spinners in Yuzvendra Chahal and Iqbal Abdulla. Pawan Negi can also bowl spin. I was sent because I have the ability to hit. It would have been easier for us to chase. If a batsman of his calibre does well, one can’t do anything. He played some unbelievable shots. We did well in the first 10 overs, restricting the RCB batsmen. But then De Villiers started to fire.