India all-rounder Axar Patel was at his acrobatic best against England during the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday, March 5, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Patel took three catches at different stages of the match to help India take crucial wickets and tighten their grip on the all-important fixture.
Heading into the semi-final, India had dropped 13 catches, the most by any team in the Super 8 stage. However, the side did not carry any baggage from the previous fixtures, as Axar Patel showcased the safest pair of hands in the outfield.
The most crucial of Patel’s three catches came during the 14th over, as he took a stunning grab on the deep point boundary to send Will Jacks back to the pavilion for 35 (20). Patel ran to his left to take a brilliant catch with both hands before throwing the ball towards Shivam Dube prior to stepping over the boundary.
As a result, India managed to claim the crucial wicket of Jacks and end a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 39 balls between him and Jacob Bethell (105 off 48), which had seemed likely to take England over the line.
Earlier, Patel had taken another sensational catch in the fifth over to dismiss Harry Brook for 7 (6). The England skipper was outfoxed by a superb change of pace from Jasprit Bumrah and miscued his shot. Patel, who was stationed at point, ran towards the boundary while keeping his eyes on the ball travelling over his head and managed to complete a stunning catch with a full-length dive.
Patel also caught Philip Salt (5 off 3) at point to give India their first strike in the second over, bowled by Hardik Pandya. Apart from his exceptional fielding show, the left-arm spinner dismissed Tom Banton (17 off 5) by shattering his stumps.
How India worked on their fielding?
Notably, India’s fielders had put in extensive hard work during the training day after dropping two straightforward catches against the West Indies. They held an extended high-catching session on Tuesday, during which the squad spent nearly three hours working specifically on catching drills under the guidance of fielding coach T. Dilip.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav also credited Dilip following Patel’s stunning fielding effort and acknowledged the hard work put in by both the coach and the players to improve their skill sets.
“I think we need to give some credit to our fielding coach, T. Dilip, as well. The way he has been working with the boys in practice sessions, making them fun and competitive, has been excellent. The boys have responded really well. Even after their personal skill sessions, they put in extra work for the team, and that is showing on the field,” said Suryakumar Yadav in the post-match presentation.
Meanwhile, despite Patel’s sensational fielding, England gave a strong fight to India, riding on a breathtaking century from Jacob Bethell (105 off 48). England eventually finished on 246/7 in their 20 overs, giving India just a narrow 7-run victory as they qualified for the final.
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