Axar Patel joked that the ball seemed to be “chasing” him during India national cricket team’s tense seven-run win over England national cricket team in the semifinal of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium.

On a batting-friendly surface where 499 runs were scored, India held their nerve to defend 253 and book a place in the final.

India had dropped 13 catches earlier in the tournament, but their fielding was exceptional in the semifinal, led by Axar’s two stunning efforts.

His first moment of brilliance came in the powerplay when he ran nearly 24 metres backwards from cover to complete a sensational catch to dismiss Harry Brook off a slower delivery from Jasprit Bumrah.

Axar produced another crucial intervention in the 14th over when Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks threatened to take the game away from India.

Chasing a wide full toss from Arshdeep Singh, Axar sprinted to his left near deep point and caught the ball before relaying it to Shivam Dube just before crossing the boundary ropes.

The relay catch ended Jacks’ innings and broke a dangerous partnership.

“When I took the catch of Harry Brook, it was very tough,” Axar said.

“But looking at the situation of the game, the catch of Will Jacks was very important because it broke the partnership.”

Also Read: Harry Brook calls Jasprit Bumrah ‘best right now’ after India’s thriller win over England

“If you ask me purely from a fielding point of view, Brook’s catch was tougher. And luckily today, I felt like the ball was chasing me,” he added with a laugh.

England stayed in the contest thanks to Bethell’s brilliant century, and the 77-run stand between him and Jacks briefly put India under pressure.

However, Axar said the team remained confident because they still had overs left from Bumrah and Arshdeep.

“At no point did we think the game was going away from us,” he said.

“We knew Arshdeep and Bumrah still had two overs each. They’ve bowled well throughout the tournament and we believed we could contain them.”

Bumrah’s superb 18th over, which conceded just six runs, eventually tilted the match in India’s favour.

‘My son watching in Ahmedabad will be special’

Axar also spoke about the emotional significance of the upcoming final in Ahmedabad.

The all-rounder had earlier been left out of two matches at the venue in this tournament against the Netherlands national cricket team and South Africa national cricket team.

He was also absent from the XI in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue, when India lost to Australia national cricket team.

Now set to feature in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Axar said the moment would be particularly special as his son will watch him play live for the first time.

“I think that’s why I didn’t play those two matches earlier,” Axar joked.

“I’ve been waiting for the chance to play in front of my family on my home ground. Playing an ICC World Cup final here will be a very proud moment.

“My son will also watch me play live for the first time and that makes it even more special.”

Asked if India would finally overcome the Ahmedabad heartbreak from 2023, Axar responded with a smile.

“I didn’t play that final,” he said laughing. “So I think the jinx will be broken now.”