The India vs Bangladesh match in the 2025 Champions Trophy was a thrilling contest that held the promise of both drama and cricketing brilliance. However, in a game that could have seen Axar Patel write his name into the history books, an uncharacteristic error by Rohit Sharma denied the Indian all-rounder the chance to claim a historic hat-trick. With Patel having already dismissed two Bangladesh batsmen in quick succession, he was on the verge of a rare achievement — a feat that would have been a first for India in a Champions Trophy match. But in a cruel twist of fate, it was Sharma’s mistake on the field that halted Patel’s dream from becoming reality.
As the game progressed, Axar Patel was bowling with precision, spinning the ball beautifully and keeping the pressure on the Bangladesh top order. His two wickets had come quickly, and the crowd was buzzing with anticipation as he prepared to bowl for the third. To claim a hat-trick is an incredibly rare achievement in cricket, and Patel was now in the spotlight, poised to join the ranks of some of the game’s greatest bowlers. His performance had been exceptional, and there was a sense of inevitability about the third wicket. India and their supporters could feel that history was within reach.
The moment of truth arrived. Axar Patel sent down a well-pitched delivery that seemed destined to clinch the third wicket. The Bangladesh batsman, visibly rattled by Patel’s earlier success, struggled to judge the ball. It was the kind of delivery that had the potential to seal the deal. The ball appeared to be heading straight into the hands of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who was fielding at short fine leg. A clean fielding effort from Sharma would have meant a straightforward dismissal, and Patel would have achieved his hat-trick.
But what followed was an unexpected turn of events. In an uncharacteristic slip-up, Rohit Sharma misjudged the ball’s trajectory. Instead of gathering it cleanly, he fumbled, and the ball slipped through his hands, hitting the ground. The Bangladesh batsman, who had been expecting to be dismissed, suddenly found himself with a second chance. Sharma’s mistake, though minor in the grand scheme of things, had cost India the opportunity to witness a rare and historic moment.
The fumble was met with disbelief, both from the players on the field and from the thousands of fans in the stadium. Sharma, usually known for his sharp reflexes and consistency in the field, was visibly frustrated by his mistake. The disappointment was not just for him but for Axar Patel, who had been so close to making history. A hat-trick in a Champions Trophy match is a feat that would have placed Patel among some of the greats of the game, and the chance was slipping away.
For Axar Patel, the blunder was a moment of frustration. He had bowled beautifully, and his efforts had been one of the highlights of the match so far. To come so close to a hat-trick, only for it to be denied by an error outside of his control, must have been incredibly hard to process. The entire Indian team, having been energized by Patel’s outstanding bowling, now faced the reality that the historic moment had evaporated.
Despite the setback, Axar Patel continued to bowl with determination, knowing that while the hat-trick had slipped away, the game was far from over. India still needed to remain focused on the task at hand, and the pressure on Bangladesh remained high. But the atmosphere in the Indian camp had shifted. What could have been a defining moment in the tournament now became a “what if” scenario that lingered in the minds of players and fans alike.
Rohit Sharma, for his part, acknowledged his mistake immediately. As the captain, he understood the magnitude of the situation. While he is often lauded for his leadership and fielding prowess, this moment highlighted that cricket is a game of fine margins. One small misjudgment can have a profound impact, and Sharma was left to rue his error.
The game continued with both teams battling for dominance, but the memory of that missed opportunity would remain for Axar Patel and the Indian team. For the rest of the match, there would be a lingering sense of what might have been, as fans hoped that despite the blunder, the team could still recover and go on to win the match.
In the end, while Axar Patel was denied a historic hat-trick, his performance in the match still stood as a testament to his skill and potential. The missed opportunity, while heartbreaking, did not take away from the fact that he had been a crucial contributor to India’s success in the tournament. As for Rohit Sharma, the blunder would serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket, where even the best fielders can sometimes falter. However, it was clear that the Indian captain would quickly refocus on leading his team forward in the tournament.
