Axar Patel, the spinner all-rounder, who had been a star on the field against New Zealand, has taken up a different role in the Indian dressing room—the role of a prankster! India has started the ritual of giving the best fielder award since quite a long time, pioneered by the fielding coach T Dilip, and last day, the medal itself was missing. And then, the medal was discovered from Axar. In the video published by BCCI on their Instagram handle, it was seen T Dilip addressing the players and their togetherness on the field. He started with praising Axar Patel, giving him credits especially for taking an outstanding catch dismissing Rachin Ravindra. Dilip then turned to Virat Kohli, recognizing his efforts on the field at every corner, and then finally praised Shreyas Iyer for putting his body on the line, saving runs. This time, it was India's training assistant, Udenaka Nuwan Senevirathne's turn to present the medal. But the medal was not in sight, creating fun tension among the players. They checked Axar Patel and Mohammad Shami until Axar himself handed over the medal. The Senevirathne gave the medal to Virat Kohli. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Team India (@indiancricketteam) Read also: IND vs NZ Live: ICC CT 2025 Match 12 - Ball-by-Ball Commentary Axar Patel’s Batting Evolution Strengthens India’s Lineup Speaking about Axar Patel’s batting, he said that his promotion in the batting order has boosted his confidence, allowing him to play with greater freedom. In India’s 44-run win over New Zealand, Axar's crucial 42 off 61 balls at No. 5 stabilized the innings after the top order faltered. His 98-run stand with Shreyas Iyer helped India post 249, setting up a dominant win. Axar credited his transformation to his match-winning 64 (35) vs West Indies in 2022*, which reinforced his self-belief as a genuine all-rounder. Unlike before, where he had to attack instantly, batting higher lets him adapt to situations and pace his innings. With India set to face Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final on March 4, Axar’s dual skills with bat and ball could be crucial. His ability to handle pressure and exploit spin-friendly conditions makes him a key player in India's campaign.