Axar Patel playing a shot during the first ODI against England. (ANI photo)

New Delhi: India all-rounder Axar Patel admitted that he was guilty of trying to overhit the ball during the T20 series against England, saying a change in mindset and greater belief in timing helped him produce a match-winning all-round performance in the opening ODI at Edgbaston.Axar, who was named Player of the Match, performed brilliantly with both bat and ball as India bounced back from a 0-4 loss in the T20 series with a six-wicket win in the first ODI. The left-arm spinner took 4 for 62 in 9.5 overs and then scored 57 runs in 52 balls as India chased down the successful target of 259 runs with 28 balls to spare. captain Shubman Gill (80 retired hurt) and Washington Sundar (52 not out) also made valuable contributions as India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Akshar spoke about T20I struggles

Reflecting on his poor T20I returns, where he could only score 19 runs in four innings, Axar said he realized he was sacrificing technique in search of power.“It was very important for me to perform like this. As far as my mindset is concerned, I needed to keep it up. I had to stay focused rather than thinking that it will happen on its own. I had to have self-belief and execute my plans,” Akshar told Geostar.“I feel like I was trying to hit the ball too hard during the T20s,” he said.The 32-year-old revealed that batting in the death overs during the T20 series forced him to play risky strokes, which affected his balance at the crease.“When you go to bat in the death overs, you have no other option but to hit big shots, but I was losing my shape a bit. So, when I went to bat in this game, we got a great start, I just wanted to build a partnership,” he explained.

There is benefit in giving more time than strength

Akshar said that the slow surface at Edgbaston demanded patience, prompting him to rely on his timing rather than mashing the ball.He said, “I was not trying to hit the ball too hard because I knew I had time and I could take some balls. I was focusing on my timing.”He said the conditions have made life difficult for new batsmen, with bounce, swing and seam movement giving an advantage to those willing to spend time at the crease before attacking.Akshar also gave credit to the return of senior stars Rohit Sharma, Virat KohliJasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul said his presence brought peace and confidence to the dressing room.

“We have been playing with each other for a long time. Everyone knows their role, there is unity and you can see it on the field as well. It creates a very comfortable atmosphere,” he said.India will be looking to seal the three-match ODI series when they take on England in the second match in Cardiff on Thursday.