'Yuvraj has an inimitable style'

Kings XI Punjab’s top performer this season of the IPL, Axar Patel, says he never really intended to make a career in cricket. He played active cricket through school and college but it’s only when his parents said he had it in him to make it big, did he begin taking the game seriously.

“I set out to do my engineering but somehow cricket was so overwhelming, that I couldn’t help but give into it. Today, I not only find myself overcoming the hardest of challenges but also find that I can deal with just about any tough situation. The game of cricket has made me tough,” observes Axar.

The young cricketer has faced his share of failures but has never let that get to him. He makes sure he quickly snaps out of any kind of negativity. “It’s because my parents gave me the freedom to choose what I wanted to do, that I am here today. This freedom has given me a lot of strength. The support that I get from my family has taught me how to handle disappointments,” he adds. Axar says every season of the IPL offers a different kind of experience and he cherishes the moments he spends playing during the IPL. “This format of cricket brings together players from across the world. There’s so much for young cricketers to learn just by watching the way senior players go about their job. The IPL also induces a competitive spirit in players but in a healthy way,” he observes.

He confesses that he has always competed with himself and goes by his instincts rather than rely on any external support. “I trust myself 100% and this is what gives me the confidence to get out there and face the toughest of games,” he adds.  There’s no skipping his fitness regime, says Axar, and he doesn’t compromise on eating his favourite dishes either. So how does he manage both? “I eat whatever I want. If I’ve eaten more than what is required, then I spend a few extra hours at the gym,” he says.

Axar never skips his regular dose of ‘pani puri’, ‘chaats’ and Chinese food. Whenever he’s home, he can never get enough of ‘roti’, ‘daal’ and the sweets that his mother makes especially for him.  The young lad admires cricketer Yuvraj Singh for his style both on and off the pitch. “Yuvraj has an inimitable style and his determination to bounce back has inspired a lot of people, including me,” he adds. Recalling his best moment with Yuvraj, he says, “I couldn’t say a word when I met Yuvraj for the first time. I just about managed to shake hands with him and take a selfie. But now we are good friends.”

Axar trains in Bengaluru sometimes and says he spends a lot of time strolling down Brigade Road and enjoys the nightlife in the city. Is it easy for him to walk the streets without being mobbed? “A good pair of sunglasses and a hooded jacket does the trick. It serves as a perfect camouflage. With these on, I can go anywhere,” he signs off saying.