On February 20, 2025, in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Axar Patel stood on the brink of history. Two wickets in two balls—Bangladesh reeling at 35/5—and then… heartbreak. A dropped catch by captain Rohit Sharma off Jaker Ali denied Axar a hat-trick, leaving fans screaming at their screens and X buzzing with memes. “Axar Patel CT 2025” trended as his near-miss stole the spotlight in India’s 6-wicket win, sparking debates: Was this the moment Rohit cost Axar immortality?
Let’s relive the drama of “Axar Patel’s near hat-trick” in “India vs Bangladesh CT 2025,” roast Rohit’s hands, and ask—should he stick to batting?
The Over That Had Us Holding Our Breath
It’s the ninth over. Mohammed Shami’s already ripped through Bangladesh with 3/15, and they’re 35/3. Enter Axar Patel, the left-arm spinner with a knack for big moments. First ball to Tanzid Hasan—flighted, spinning away, edged to slip, gone for 10. Bangladesh 35/4. Next ball to Mushfiqur Rahim—quicker, skids on, trapped LBW for 2. Umpire’s finger goes up, 35/5, and the crowd’s losing it.
Two in two. Hat-trick ball. Jaker Ali, on 0, faces a darted delivery—full, on off, a tentative prod, and it flies to Rohit at silly point. It’s chest-high, a dolly… and Rohit drops it. The ball pops out, Jaker survives, and Axar’s left staring in disbelief. History slips away—only Jerome Taylor’s 2006 CT hat-trick remains in the record books.
For the full over replay, check Cricbuzz’s match highlights.
Axar Patel’s Brilliance: So Close, Yet So Far
Axar finished with 2/38 in 10 overs—not headline-grabbing like Shami’s 5/53—but his ninth over was pure gold. His first wicket, Tanzid, was classic spin: dip and turn, luring the edge. The second, Mushfiqur, was pace and guile: beating the bat, hitting the pads, no chance. The hat-trick ball? Spot-on line, just bad luck—and worse fielding.
Only one hat-trick has ever been taken in CT history—Taylor’s 3-in-3 vs Australia. Axar was inches from joining him, a feat that’d have etched his name alongside Saqlain Mushtaq (first ODI hat-trick) and Lasith Malinga (four in four). Instead, he’s the guy who almost did it, thanks to Rohit’s butterfingers.
Stat Spotlight: Axar’s 2 wickets took his ODI tally to 60 in 57 games—underrated but clutch.
Rohit Sharma: Captain Fantastic, Fielder… Not So Much
Rohit Sharma’s 41 off 36 set India’s chase alight, and his captaincy was sharp—bringing Axar on early paid off. But that drop? Oof. At silly point, it wasn’t a screamer—just a regulation catch for a man with 11,000 ODI runs and 264 catches in his career. The ball hit his hands, bobbled, and fell. Rohit’s reaction—head down, a sheepish grin—said it all.
Fans on X didn’t hold back: “Rohit’s hands are for batting, not catching!” He’s no slouch in the field—91 ODI catches prove it—but at 37, is he losing his edge? Compare this to Virat Kohli’s diving grabs or Shubman Gill’s agility—Rohit’s slip-up stands out.
Roast Alert: Rohit’s new nickname—Captain Dropsy. Sorry, Hitman, we had to!
Why This Moment Matters
Axar’s near hat-trick wasn’t just a “what if”—it was a game-changer. At 35/5, Bangladesh were toast. Jaker Ali, the survivor, went on to score 68, partnering Towhid Hridoy (100) for a record 154-run stand. Without that drop, Bangladesh might’ve folded for under 150, making India’s chase a cakewalk instead of a tense 144/4 before Gill’s 101* sealed it.
In a tournament like CT 2025, where net run rate could decide semifinals, every over counts. Rohit’s miss didn’t cost the game, but it cost Axar glory—and India a bigger margin. Against Pakistan on February 23, such lapses could hurt more.
For the latest CT 2025 standings, see ICC’s tournament page.
Axar Patel: The Unsung Hero We Need
Axar Patel’s no Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja, but he’s India’s quiet assassin. Since his 2014 debut, he’s taken 60 ODI wickets at an average of 31, with an economy under 4.8—stingy and effective. His T20 World Cup 2024 heroics (3/23 in the final) showed his big-match chops, and this CT spell reinforced it.
He’s not flashy—no Jadeja sword twirls—but his accuracy and variations (arm ball, drifter) are lethal. Had Rohit held on, Axar’s 3-in-3 would’ve been the story, not Shami’s fifer. Isn’t it time we gave him his flowers?
The Meme-Worthy Aftermath
X lit up post-drop. Memes of Rohit juggling air, captioned “When your captain’s hands betray you,” went viral. One fan quipped, “Axar to Rohit: ‘Bro, I set it up, you just had to catch!’” Another posted a GIF of a crying baby with “Axar’s hat-trick dreams” overlaid. It’s peak cricket banter—painful yet hilarious.
The moment’s replay value—Axar’s stare, Rohit’s flinch—makes it shareable gold. If you’ve got a meme idea, drop it below!
What’s Next for Axar and India?
Pakistan on February 23 is Axar’s next shot at glory. Their batting—Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman—loves spin, but Axar’s got history: 2/24 vs them in the 2023 World Cup. Dubai’s pitch, turning slightly vs Bangladesh, suits him. If Rohit redeems his fielding, Axar might just get another crack at a hat-trick.
For India, this was a wake-up call. Gill’s 101* and Shami’s 5/53 won the day, but sloppy fielding won’t fly against Pakistan’s pacers. Axar’s role—breaking partnerships—will be key.
Why This Could Go Viral
- Drama Factor: A near hat-trick thwarted by a drop—pure cricket chaos.
- Fan Bait: Roasting Rohit while hyping Axar sparks laughs and debates.
- Hot Take: “Rohit’s hands cost us history” gets clicks and shares.
- Visual Hook: Embed the drop clip (YouTube’s got it) or a “35/5” collapse graphic.
Conclusion: Axar’s Almost-Moment Lives On
Axar Patel’s near hat-trick in “India vs Bangladesh CT 2025” was a rollercoaster—two wickets, one drop, endless what-ifs. He deserved the headlines; Rohit’s hands stole them. As “Axar Patel CT 2025” trends, we’re left asking: Should Rohit stick to batting, not fielding? Share your take below—and your best Rohit meme! Let’s settle this: Will Axar get his hat-trick vs Pakistan?
