Axar Patel Gets Special Award After India vs Afghanistan T20Is

Axar Patel wins special award [Source: AFP]

Team India blanked Afghanistan 3-0 to win its three-match ‘away’ T20I series in Delhi this month. Abhishek Sharma, who twice won the ‘Player of the Match’ awards in the series, also fittingly bagged the ‘Player of the Series’ honor after the third T20I. 

However, in the eyes of the Indian team management, it was senior all-rounder Axar Patel who had the most impact in the series, considering the former vice-captain won the customary ‘Impact Player of the Series’ award in the dressing room.

Axar Patel wins “Impact Player of the Series” for Afghanistan heroics

Team India followed its dressing room tradition after winning yet another series, this time defeating Afghanistan in Delhi. As part of the tradition, India’s head physio Kamlesh Jain named Axar Patel as the winner of the ‘Impact Player of the Series’ medal during the team’s dressing room celebration after the third T20I.

Patel accepted the honor and acknowledged Team India’s return to form with newfound T20I success after losing in Ireland and England.

Also Read- Axar Patel Finds His Rhythm Again, But Must Keep Evolving

In a video shared by the BCCI on their official website, Axar said “We did well in all three matches. And we implemented what we had discussed. I am very proud of this team. And last few series, the way it went, nothing can be changed. If we keep winning, it will be more automatic, we will keep moving forward as a unit.”

Axar Patel also added that Team India will be aiming to carry this momentum in the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan, thus firing a stern warning shot towards all opposition teams.

He said “In the upcoming Asian Games, we will do the same. If we keep the atmosphere and environment as it is, we can do better.”

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🗣️ 𝙄'𝙢 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 🙌 🎥 Inside the #TeamIndia dressing room for the 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 medal presentation as Head Physio Kamlesh Jain @KKamleshJain does the honours 🏅👏 🔽 WATCH | #AFGvIND | @akshar2026

How did Axar Patel fare in series against Afghanistan

While Abhishek Sharma aggregated 229 runs in three innings of the series and blistering opener Sanju Samson mounted 117 runs, it was Axar Patel who won the ‘Impact Player of the Series’ medal, as awarded by the Indian team management. 

It is worth noting that Indian fast bowlers Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh both picked up more wickets than Axar, only to get snubbed during the post-series dressing room celebration.

Axar Patel was likely picked as winner owing to his exceptional economy rates on a high-scoring Delhi surface. In three matches of the series, the seasoned left-arm spinner picked up four wickets at an average of 16, but maintained an economy rate of just 5.81.

Axar Patel gears up in style for Asian Games 2026

With an impressive series against Afghanistan, Axar has now gained much positive momentum before heading into the 2026 Asian Games in Japan later this month.

The 32-year-old is selected in Team India squad for the multi-nation event alongside several other senior pros as well as star performers like captain Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain Tilak Varma, explosive batters Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan. 

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