“You’re going to be let down,” Axar Patel says of missing the 2023 ODI World Cup because of an injury.

Axar Patel, an all-round player, grabbed 3/16 in the fourth Twenty20 International to help India win the five-match T20I series against Australia on Friday, December 1 in Raipur. The left-arm spinner, who claimed the scalps of Travis Head, Ben McDermott, and Aaron Hardie, derailed the Australian pursuit in the middle overs.

The Matthew Wade-led team was limited to 154/7 in their allowed 20 overs thanks to his spell, and they lost by 20 runs. Patel talked candidly about his displeasure at not being included in the ODI World Cup 2023 squad after his game-winning effort.

It goes without saying that you will be disappointed. That was an injury, but the World Cup was in India. I was concerned about not being able to play because of an injury for the first several days. After five to ten days, I returned to training and resumed my rehabilitation because the squad was performing well, as Patel was cited by the Times of India as saying.

Notably, the 29-year-old was included in the ODI World Cup preliminary team. But he didn’t recover from a left quadriceps injury he sustained at the Asia Cup 2023 in time, so the team management had to replace him with Ravichandran Ashwin.

Patel has made an incredible recovery in international cricket since the World Cup setback; he is currently tied for second in the T20I series against Australia in terms of wickets taken. In four games, the southpaw has claimed five wickets at an average of 22 and an economy of 6.87.

Following an injury, you attempt to protect that area of your body: Axar Patel

The cricket player from Gujarat went on to discuss the difficulties he had during his injury recovery.

“You attempt to protect that area of your body after an accident. You are unable to put up your best effort. I never really forget it,” he continued.

Patel, who was left out of the ODI World Cup squad this year, will be motivated to keep up his strong play in order to secure a berth in the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the USA and the West Indies.