IND vs AUS 2023: All of us are keen to prove that we belong here – Axar Patel

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel said all of them are keen to prove that they belong at the top level ahead of the five-match T20I series against Australia. India has a young squad which will be led by Suryakumar Yadav and all the players will be eager to prove their mettle.

In fact, all of these players have proved themselves in the IPL and they will be looking to replicate the same at the International level. India recently suffered a heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final against Australia and they will be looking to move on from that big defeat.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel was named in the World Cup squad but he was later replaced by Ravichandran Ashwin after he suffered an injury.

Speaking to India Nets Live on Jio Cinema, Axar Patel said, “Everyone knows that we suffered heartbreak in the World Cup final. But it’s time to move on. We have a young team that will play Australia in the T20Is. All of us are keen to prove that we belong here. There’s a lot of energy in the team.

“It’s just that we have only 10-11 T20 international matches to go before the T20 World Cup to make an impression. So, all of us have been told to play according to our strengths.”

Patel has all the experience under his belt and he has been performing consistently. The left-arm orthodox spinner wants to keep doing what he was doing before injury.

“The mindset remains the same as what it was before I had to miss the World Cup due to injury. But I am fit again and am keen on doing well in all departments of the game.

“I have not made any changes and am focussing on the processes. I don’t want to make much changes to my mindset. I just want to continue doing what I was before the injury.”

India will take on Australia in the first T20I at Vizag on Thursday.