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Axar Patel experienced a whirlwind of emotions within seconds during India’s opening match against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. From sheer elation to crushing disappointment, the left-arm spinner found himself at the center of a moment that will be talked about for years. Axar was on the verge of achieving a remarkable milestone – his first-ever hat-trick in any format of cricket- but Rohit Sharma’s dropped catch turned the moment into heartbreak.
As India dominated Bangladesh with the ball, Axar delivered a spell that disarmed the opposition. He had set up a perfect opportunity for a rare ICC Champions Trophy hat-trick, but fate had other plans. While missed catches are a part of the game, this drop carried more weight because of its historical significance and the potential record that slipped away.
The pivotal moment: A Champions Trophy hat-trick that wasn’t
As Axar ran in for his hat-trick ball, he knew he was on the brink of something special. He had just dismissed two Bangladesh batters in back-to-back deliveries, setting the stage for what could have been a career-defining moment. His final target was Jaker Ali, and Axar executed his plan to perfection. He tossed the ball up invitingly, drawing Jaker forward in defense. Just as the batter thought he had it covered, the ball turned sharply, took the outside edge, and flew towards the slip cordon.
Positioned at slip, Rohit was expected to complete a routine catch. However, in a moment of misjudgment, he lunged forward instead of allowing the ball to come to him. The ball dipped sharply, slipped through his fingers, and fell to the ground. Rohit himself tumbled forward in frustration, fully aware of what had just happened. Axar, who had already started to celebrate, turned back in disbelief as the opportunity for a historic hat-trick slipped away in an instant.
The Champions Trophy, despite being a marquee tournament for over two decades, has witnessed just one hat-trick in its entire history. That honor belongs to Jerome Taylor of the West Indies in 2006, a testament to how incredibly rare it is for a bowler to claim three wickets in three successive deliveries in this competition. Had Axar achieved the milestone, he would have etched his name into cricketing folklore as the first Indian to take a Champions Trophy hat-trick.
Also READ: IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma overtakes Sachin Tendulkar to achieve a special milestone in ODIs – Champions Trophy 2025
Axar Patel’s reaction: From celebration to disappointment
After Bangladesh was bowled out for 228, Axar was asked about the missed hat-trick opportunity during a post-match interaction with Star Sports. His response was a mix of humor and disappointment, showing his calm demeanor despite the unfortunate outcome.
“Honestly, I started celebrating when the ball went to Rohit Sharma. But then I realized he had dropped it. What to do? Sabke saath hota hai (happens with everybody). When it happened, I did not react much as I just turned back and went away,” Axar said.
His words reflected his sportsman spirit, but it was clear that the moment had stung. A bowler’s first hat-trick is always a defining achievement, and to have it slip away due to a dropped catch was a cruel twist of fate. However, Axar remained composed, choosing to focus on the team’s overall performance rather than dwelling on his personal disappointment.
