Having recorded impressive figures of six wickets for 38 runs, Gujarat’s
own Axar Patel’s journey certainly has not been as smooth as his statistics.
Hailing from Nadiad, almost 60 kilometres from the state capital Ahmedabad,
Patel made his first-class debut for Gujarat at the age of 18, before featuring
for Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy in 2012.

Regular inclusions in matches, however, came after his signed by
the Mumbai Indians in 2014, during the sixth edition of the league, and even
more after Punjab Kings, Kings XI Punjab at the time, bought him.

Also read: 3rd Test: Indian spinners Axar Patel, R Ashwin wreak havoc in day-night Test in Ahmedabad

The up-and-coming star’s race to fame has been accompanied by an
interesting, even funny dilemma – his name. Akshar, as he was originally named,
as per a report by Indian Express, was changed into ‘Axar’ due to a typo from
his school principal on a certificate. Patel, on his part, decided to keep it.

Personal life being rough and tumble is a recurrent tale for many
members of the national cricket team, and it was, presumably, the same for
Patel too.

Right from his father suffering an accident which caused damages
to the skull, leading to the young player pouring over his resources from early
cricketing days, to taking 17 wickets in his initial IPL season and turning
into one of the most sought-after all-rounders in the domestic cricketing scenario,
Patel’s rise is definitely a solid portrayal of strength and focus.

In 2017, the off-spinner was dropped from the ICC Champions Trophy
team, with selectors choosing a more experienced Ravindra Jadeja over him. The
situation, at present, however, is clearly not the same. Tables have definitely
turned for Patel, who was given chances in the Test squad against England. The
off-spinner did not disappoint, acquiring two five-wicket hauls in two Tests.

Also read: 3rd Test: R Ashwin goes past Zaheer Khan to achieve this record

With both domestic T20 and international Test matches settled for
Patel, it is perhaps safe to say that Motera’s hometown hero in the first day of
the Test is here to stay.