Team India all-rounder Axar Patel has added that he was disappointed and sad after being forced to miss the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an injury. He also added that the first few days after the injury were tough, but shared that he gradually overcame the disappointment and focused on his recovery.

Axar Patel was an important member of the Indian ODI squad in the build-up to the World Cup. However, he was ruled out of the tournament due to a left quadriceps strain he sustained while playing in the Asia Cup. Later, he was replaced by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s 15-man World Cup squad as well.

At a post-match press conference, he said, “Obviously, you are bound to be [disappointed]. The World Cup was in India, but that injury happened. For the first few days, I was thinking about it, not being able to play due to injury. But, the team was doing well, so after 5-10 days, I was back to training and was doing my rehab. But yes, when you are out due to injury and those 5-10 days you are not able to do anything, you do feel a bit bad. After that, I returned to routine life.”

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“I was upset, but it happened due to an injury; it’s not in anyone’s hands. It’s part and parcel of the game,” Axar further added.

Axar Patel knocks the stumps again! ⚡️⚡️

This time it's Ben McDermott who has to depart. #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/RNVWR84dIn

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 1, 2023

However, Team India had a terrific good run in the 2023 World Cup, winning 10 games consecutively. But, they failed in the final, losing to Australia by six wickets.

“You have to start planning for the T20 World Cup from now” – Axar Patel

While Axar Patel missed the ODI World Cup, he is hopeful of featuring in the T20 World Cup as well, which will be played in the United States and West Indies in June 2024 as well. He added that preparations for the same have already started as India won’t play a lot of T20I matches before that.

“Our schedule does not have a lot of T20 matches. There are around 9-10 games. You have to start planning and preparing for the T20 World Cup from now. The World Cup is in June, in between there is the IPL as well. The planning is going on; everyone is aware of their roles. When Rahul [Dravid] sir and the others come back, more detailed discussions will be held, but we knew what to do in this series. There was no confusion,” Axar Patel concluded.