Rohit Sharma’s Catch Drop Denies Axar Patel a Historic ODI Hat-Trick
Axar Patel was one ball away from a hat-trick in ODIs for India. But a dropped catch by captain Rohit Sharma ended that chance. The moment happened during India’s 2025 Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It left the Indian team in shock.
Axar, in great form, dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim in a row. Bangladesh was in trouble at 35/5. Axar bowled a sharp delivery to Jaker Ali. He edged it to Rohit Sharma at first slip. But the Indian captain dropped an easy catch. This mistake cost Axar his first international hat-trick.
Bangladesh Collapse Early Under India’s Bowling Pressure
In the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 match, Bangladesh won the toss. They chose to bat first, thinking the conditions would help them at the start. However, India’s bowlers struck immediately:
- Bangladesh lost two wickets within two overs and were struggling at 2/2.
- By 6.2 overs, the score was 26/3, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz back in the pavilion.
- Axar Patel then wreaked havoc, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 35/5.
Axar Patel’s Game-Changing Spell
Axar Patel’s exceptional over put Bangladesh under immense pressure:
- His first wicket came when Tanzid Hasan edged one to KL Rahul, who took a sharp catch.
- Mushfiqur Rahim was next. He couldn’t defend Axar’s delivery and edged it to Rahul.
- With two wickets in two balls, Axar stood on the brink of history, only for Rohit Sharma’s drop to deny him.
Rohit dropped to his knees in frustration, realizing his mistake. Axar just smiled, disappointed.
Players With Hat-Tricks for India in ODIs
Had Axar Patel completed the feat, he would have become the fifth Indian to achieve an ODI hat-trick. The elite list currently includes:
| Player | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chetan Sharma | New Zealand | October 1987 |
| Kapil Dev | Sri Lanka | January 1991 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Australia | September 2017 |
| Mohammed Shami | Afghanistan | June 2019 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | West Indies | December 2019 |
Bangladesh scored 98 runs for 5 wickets in 27 overs. Towhid Hridoy made 32 runs, while Jaker Ali added 31. They tried to stabilize the innings.
Would this dropped chance prove costly for India?
