Axar Patel, one among many talented left-arm orthodox spinners from Gujarat, made his first-class debut at 18 during a Vijay Hazare Trophy game in Mumbai, followed by his Ranji Trophy debut in November 2012. It wasn’t until the 2013/14 season that Axar began delivering significant performances, taking 29 wickets and scoring valuable runs.

His rise to prominence began when Mumbai Indians signed him for the IPL’s sixth edition. However, he remained on the fringes without many opportunities. The move to Kings XI Punjab the following season proved pivotal, as Axar emerged as an exciting young talent, showcasing his accuracy and wicket-taking ability. He finished the 2014 IPL with 17 wickets and contributed important runs lower down the order. His performances earned him the Emerging Player of the Tournament award.

At just 20, Axar earned a spot in the Indian ODI squad, touring Bangladesh in 2014. His impressive displays helped him displace the established left-armer Ravindra Jadeja in the home series against Sri Lanka. Although part of the 2015 World Cup squad, he didn’t get a game due to the seam-friendly conditions favoring pace bowlers. He returned for the subcontinent tour of Bangladesh later that year.

Despite consistent performances, Axar often remained in Jadeja’s shadow. He missed the 2017 Champions Trophy and struggled to secure a regular spot even when Jadeja was injured. He was named standby for India’s 2019 World Cup squad. His Test debut came in 2021 against England at home, where he impressed by taking a five-wicket haul (5/60) on debut and finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker of the series with 27 wickets in just three matches. This performance cemented his position as a reliable all-format player, especially as India sought a third spinner in home conditions.

Since 2021, Axar has been a dependable performer for India, particularly in white-ball cricket, while his improved batting earned him Test call-ups at home. He was included in the 15-man squad for the 2023 World Cup but missed the tournament due to a left quadriceps strain. He bounced back to play pivotal roles in India’s successes in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

IPL Career Highlights

Axar holds the unique distinction of taking an IPL hat-trick, claiming 4 wickets in 5 balls against the Gujarat Lions in 2016. Though his batting remained modest, he continued as a tidy, dependable bowler for Punjab in subsequent seasons. His consistent IPL performances earned him a lucrative INR 5 crore bid from Delhi Capitals in the 2019 auction. Since then, the franchise has retained him in every auction, reflecting his growing value and reliability.