Axar Patel ready to maximise his chances after being appointed T20I vice-captain, says he doesn’t need to prove anything

India’s all-rounder Axar Patel is ready to embrace the new leadership role in the T20I team and said he doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone. Patel has performed consistently for the team, especially in the white-ball formats and he would look to carry on the good show. 

Patel said he wants to focus on his role in the team and give his best at all situations of the game, whether it is with the bat or with the ball in hand.

The left-arm orthodox spinner has picked 64 wickets in 60 ODIs and has bagged 65 scalps in 66 T20Is.

“Yes, the transition is coming and obviously, it will be the call of the selectors and the captain. At the end of the day, I don’t want to prove anything to anyone,” he said in Kolkata in the presser. “I have played in all three formats. Whether it is T20, ODI or Test matches. So, I tell myself that I have to do well in the opportunities I get.

“If there is a transition and if I am given a role, I will focus on that, on what I have to do. I keep asking myself how to make myself better when I am batting or bowling, and if I keep performing I will automatically make my place.”

Patel said he would team up with T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and would give his input to the skipper whenever it would be needed in the game.

“Obviously, it’s been a day, so we have discussed that there is an extra responsibility on me in the leadership group,” Axar said of his appointment. “Our T20 team is settled, so there is not much pressure. But obviously, there are small decisions in the game. I will be working with Surya, so if some input is needed at any time around what we can do and what we can’t, that’s the kind of conversation I have had. And when you come into the leadership group, obviously, you have to make some harsh decisions. If we have genuine opinions and trust in each other, it will be easy.”

India will take on England in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday.