In the 2024 T20 World Cup, Patel had played a crucial role in the final with the bat alongside Virat Kohli

January 20 marks the birthday of Indian all-rounder Axar Patel, one of the finest in the present generation of cricket. Given that the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is merely a few weeks away, let us take a look at birthday boy Axar Patel’s exploits in the T20 format because he is part of the World Cup squad and is expected to play a crucial role, as he did in the 2024 edition.

Patel’s international numbers

After playing 85 T20 international matches, Axar Patel’s batting figures include 681 runs, which may seem low, but one must consider that he often comes at no. 6 and 7 and gets a very limited number of balls to hit. His average stands at 20.02, and he has a strike rate of 135.11 with only one half-century to his name.

 (Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

Moving on to his bowling figures, he has picked 82 wickets in 85 matches with a best of 3/9 while maintaining an economy of 7.24. In T20 internationals, he is yet to grab a four-wicket, five-wicket, or 10-wicket haul.

Patel in IPL

Patel has been a regular part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2014, having played 162 matches so far. In 162 matches, Patel has scored 1,916 runs at an average of 22.02 and a strike rate of 133.99. His highest score in the IPL is 66, and he has three fifties to his name. As a bowler, Patel has picked 128 wickets in 162 matches with a best of 4/21 while maintaining an economy of 7.35.

2024 T20 World Cup campaign

Axar Patel was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, and with the bat, he had scored merely 92 runs in eight matches at an average of 23.00, but his strike rate was 139.39. Given that he came lower down the order, he did not get enough chances to score huge runs.

However, in the final, Axar Patel played a crucial role by registering a 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli. Patel scored 47 runs in 31 balls against South Africa, which proved to be useful for India.

Asia Cup 2025 campaign

Last year in the Asia Cup 2025, Patel had a decent campaign, picking six wickets in seven matches. With the bat, he fell short, scoring merely 57 runs, but on most occasions, Patel contributes in at least one department.

Axar Patel, turning 32, will have to give his very best because this could be his last opportunity to win a major international trophy. If he does well, his performance may give him a chance to be part of next year’s ODI World Cup. Post 2027, Patel will hit 34, and therefore, 2026 and 2027 could be his last years of tasting international glory.