During the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian cricketer Axar Patel was seemingly on the verge of making history, eyeing his first One Day International (ODI) hat-trick. Unfortunately, his aspirations were thwarted when captain Rohit Sharma dropped a straightforward catch, leading to considerable disappointment for both the player and cricket fans alike.
The match was held on February 20, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where the Indian team faced Bangladesh. Having lost the toss, India was tasked with bowling first, and the team looked to capitalize on early chances. The pressure was palpable as Axar Patel took to the bowling crease, delivering phenomenal performance right from the start.
By the ninth over, the Bangladesh team found themselves struggling at just 35 runs for three wickets. Axar, stepping up, took two wickets on consecutive balls. He first dismissed Tanjid Hasan for just 25 runs, and then had Mushfiqur Rahim caught for golden duck, sending the Bangladeshi innings spiraling downwards.
It was then on the third ball of the over when Axar bowled to Zakir Ali, who played it defensively. The ball edged off his bat, heading straight for Rohit Sharma at slip. This was the moment—an effortless catch, which, under normal circumstances, any fielder would have confidently taken. But to the shock of the crowd, Rohit failed to grasp the ball, resulting not only in the lost opportunity for Axar to claim his hat-trick but also considerable ridicule directed at Rohit on social media platforms.
Reactions from the players on the field were immediate. Initially celebrating, Axar's joy deflated as he recognized the catch had slipped through Rohit's fingers. After the drop, Rohit seemed visibly upset, reportedly slamming his hand against the ground multiple times and quickly apologizing to Axar for his error. His gesture of folding his hands—an apparent plea for forgiveness—only added to the gravity of the moment.
This incident has not only led to conversations about the missed hat-trick but has also spiraled as fodder for the internet, with fans creatively trolling Rohit. Memes flooded social media depicting Rohit’s dropping the ball and captured public imaginations. Axar is affectionately referred to as 'Bapu' by fans from Gujarat, from where he hails. One meme humorously portrayed Rohit pleading with Axar, "Mafi kar do, Bapu..." capturing the essence of their camaraderie even amid disappointment.
Had Rohit taken the catch, Axar Patel would have made history as the first player to claim a hat-trick on debut during any ICC ODI event, and the first Indian spinner to achieve such a feat during men’s ICC events. The potential significance of this moment was not lost on cricket analysts, who speculated about the records Axar would have set.
Among the talking points was the lack of any spinner ever having taken a hat-trick at this level for India—a landmark Axar could have proudly claimed. His missed chance also echoes the rarity of such accomplishments, with the last hat-trick recorded at the Champions Trophy being accomplished by Jerome Taylor of West Indies back in 2006.
Following the team’s performance following the dropped catch, Bangladesh eventually finished their innings at 228, aided by notable contributions from Tariq Taouhid and Zakir Ali, who put together an impressive partnership after the early collapse.
Axar Patel’s performances showcased resilience, even after missing what could have been his career-defining moment. He expressed, "I started to celebrate, but then I saw Rohit dropped the catch. I didn't react much and moved on. It's part of the game," indicating his sportsmanship character.
This near-miss reminds us of the high-pressure decisions and split-second reactions defining sports. While disappointment lingers, there will always be future opportunities for Axar and his team, striving for excellence on the grand stage of cricket.