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Axar Patel: news, facts and key points

15 stories · latest 04 Nov 2026 · View the player page

Key points from the latest coverage

Virat Kohli Takes Diving Slip Catch to Remove Nathan Smith, Celebrates with Bow and Arrow Pose

Virat Kohli took a low diving catch at second slip to dismiss Nathan Smith in the 29th over of the first India-New Zealand ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 4, 2026.
The catch came off Anshul Kamboj's bowling after Smith edged a full delivery outside off stump; Kohli dived to his right and held the ball just above the ground.
Smith's dismissal left New Zealand at 115/7, according to the match report.
Kohli followed the catch with a 'Bow and Arrow' celebration that drew attention in the match coverage.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma helped create another New Zealand wicket by collecting Daryl Mitchell's nudge at mid-wicket; KL Rahul completed the run-out behind the stumps.

Virat Kohli Closes in on Sachin Tendulkar’s New Zealand ODI Run Record

Virat Kohli has scored 514 runs in 11 ODIs played in New Zealand and is third on the Indian run-scoring list in the country.
Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 652 runs from 18 ODIs in New Zealand; Kohli needs 139 more to move ahead.
Virender Sehwag is second with 598 runs from 12 matches, while MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid complete the top five.
Kohli has one century and four half-centuries in New Zealand ODIs, with a highest score of 123.
India's five-match ODI series against New Zealand begins in Auckland on November 4, 2026.

India Coach Sairaj Bahutule Explains Why Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy Remain on Bench

India spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy understand that team combinations may limit their chances in the New Zealand T20I series.
Both spinners were left out of India's playing XI for the fourth T20I at Eden Park, where New Zealand scored 259/7 and won by 87 runs.
Bahutule said the two bowlers continue to work behind the scenes and are prepared to play whenever required.
The coach said he hoped they could get an opportunity in the final T20I at Hamilton or in upcoming ODIs, although Chakravarthy is not part of the ODI squad.
Bahutule highlighted Axar Patel's ability to bowl in the Powerplay and execute different roles depending on match situations.

Auqib Nabi Added to India Squad for First Three New Zealand ODIs After Prasidh Krishna Exit

The BCCI added Auqib Nabi to India's squad for the first three ODIs against New Zealand on October 31, 2026.
Nabi was originally selected only for the fourth and fifth ODIs, but is now available from the series opener on November 4 in Auckland.
Prasidh Krishna was ruled out of the five-match series after failing to obtain fitness clearance while recovering from a hamstring injury.
Nabi made his ODI debut against the West Indies in Guwahati in September 2026.
The 29-year-old right-arm pacer took six wickets across two innings in an India A unofficial Test against New Zealand A at Lincoln.

Did you know? Facts about Axar Patel

Kohli was stationed at second slip when he took the catch, rather than in the outfield. Read the story →
The wicket was Anshul Kamboj's breakthrough in the middle overs, with Kohli completing the chance close to the ground. Read the story →
The 'Bow and Arrow' pose was the celebration reported after the catch, distinct from Kohli's more familiar animated fist-pumping reactions. Read the story →
Rohit Sharma's contribution to Daryl Mitchell's run-out came six overs before Kohli's catch, in the 22nd over. Read the story →
Kohli's highest ODI score in New Zealand is 123, while Tendulkar's best is an unbeaten 163. Read the story →
Virender Sehwag has the highest batting average among the five players listed, at 54.36. Read the story →
MS Dhoni's 72.14 average is the highest among the top five, despite his total of 505 runs being fourth on the list. Read the story →
Tendulkar and Kohli each have one century and four half-centuries in ODIs played in New Zealand. Read the story →
Kuldeep Yadav last played a T20I on October 9, 2026, against the West Indies in Ranchi, according to the report. Read the story →
Bahutule said India encourages its spinners to attack, while noting that defensive bowling can also serve an attacking purpose in the right situation. Read the story →
Varun Chakravarthy was not part of India's ODI squad, so the coach's reference to upcoming one-day matches applied to Kuldeep rather than both spinners. Read the story →
Nabi's inclusion means he is now part of India's squad for all five ODIs, rather than only the final two matches as first announced. Read the story →

All stories on Axar Patel

Virat Kohli Takes Diving Slip Catch to Remove Nathan Smith, Celebrates with Bow and Arrow Pose

Virat Kohli produced a sharp low catch at second slip to dismiss Nathan Smith in India's first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland. The catch off Anshul Kamboj reduced New Zealand to 115/7 and was followed by Kohli's 'Bow and Arrow' celebration.

Virat Kohli Closes in on Sachin Tendulkar’s New Zealand ODI Run Record

Virat Kohli needs 139 more runs to surpass Sachin Tendulkar as India's leading run-scorer in ODIs played in New Zealand. Kohli has 514 runs from 11 matches ahead of the five-match series beginning in Auckland on November 4.

India Coach Sairaj Bahutule Explains Why Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy Remain on Bench

Spin coach Sairaj Bahutule says Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy understand India's team-combination decisions and remain ready for opportunities after sitting out the New Zealand T20Is.

Auqib Nabi Added to India Squad for First Three New Zealand ODIs After Prasidh Krishna Exit

India have brought Auqib Nabi into the squad for the opening three ODIs against New Zealand after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Nabi was already named for the final two matches.

Mitchell Santner Takes Record 32 T20I Wickets Against India, Reaches 150-Wicket Milestone

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner became the leading T20I wicket-taker against India with 32 scalps in 31 matches during the fourth T20I in Auckland. His 2/24 also took him past 150 career wickets in the format.

Shreyas Iyer Says India Fell Short With the Ball After New Zealand’s 87-Run Win in 4th T20I

India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the bowling effort fell short after New Zealand piled up 259/7 and won the fourth T20I by 87 runs in Auckland. Iyer pointed to the powerplay, Glenn Phillips’ century and the challenge of adapting to Eden Park’s dimensions.

New Zealand Beat India by 87 Runs as Glenn Phillips Hits 107 in 4th T20I

Glenn Phillips smashes 107 off 49 balls as New Zealand score 259/7 and defeat India by 87 runs in the fourth T20I at Auckland. Jacob Duffy takes 4/23.

Ashwin Gives Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma Perfect 10s After India’s Wellington Blitz

Ravichandran Ashwin awarded Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma perfect 10s after India chased 199 in 13.2 overs to beat New Zealand by six wickets and take a 3-0 series lead.

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INDIA WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Abhishek Sharma's 113 Powers Series-Sealing Victory!

The result gives India a 3-0 lead in the five-match series, ensuring that New Zealand can no longer win the series. The hosts will now look to bounce back in the remaining two matches.

Naman Dhir Breaks Irfan Pathan’s 17-Year-Old Record with 15-Ball 42 in India’s T20I Chase

Naman Dhir smashed an unbeaten 42 from 15 balls as India chased 226 to beat New Zealand by four wickets in Christchurch, setting a new Indian record for the highest score from No. 7 or lower in a successful T20I chase.

‘India Cannot Win World Cup With This Combination’: Mohammed Kaif Criticises T20 Bowling Attack

Former India batter Mohammed Kaif has questioned India’s T20 bowling combination after the 24-run defeat to West Indies in Hyderabad, warning that the current setup may not be strong enough for the team’s 2028 T20 World Cup title defence.

India Eye T20I Series Win Against West Indies as Hyderabad Braces for Another High-Scoring Clash

India take a 2–1 lead into the fourth T20I against West Indies in Hyderabad, with a series victory within reach. After three high-scoring contests, India will rely on their explosive top order and bowling attack to overcome a dangerous West Indies batting line-up.

Also in the news with Axar Patel

India New Zealand Shreyas Iyer Tilak Varma Sanju Samson Arshdeep Singh West Indies Virat Kohli