Axar Patel nickname: Why is Axar Patel called Wasim by Rishabh Pant?

Axar Patel called Wasim: The Indian all-rounder earned himself a new nickname during his ‘Man of the Match’ performance at his home ground.

India all-rounder Axar Patel picked his maiden 10-wicket haul in a Test match which played a pivotal role in India winning the recently concluded third Test against England by 10 wickets in just over five sessions.

Playing only his second Test, first at his home ground, Patel registered bowling figures of 36.4-6-68-11 to win his first ‘Man of the Match’ award in the format.

While Patel has only scored 12 runs in three Test innings so far, his 18 wickets coming at an average and strike rate of 9.44 and 25.8 respectively call for an outstanding entry into Test cricket.

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“When it happens, it feels so easy. I am not thinking much. I want to continue this form. I am happy that if I am not contributing with the bat, I am doing it with the ball. My strength is to bowl wicket-to-wicket and not give him room. The mindset of batters is they play out couple of maidens, they either go for a sweep or try to hit over the infield,” Patel told Star Sports during the presentation ceremony.

Why is Axar Patel called Wasim by Rishabh Pant?

Patel, who had earlier received a nickname ‘Bapu’ form former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has now earned one from India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant.

Pant, who is known for his continual chatter from behind the stumps, was heard multiple times while calling Patel as Wasim at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Being asked about the reason behind the new nickname, Patel revealed that it is because of his lethal arm ball.

“They call me Wasim bhai [Wasim Akram] because they feel my arm ball is very lethal. Ajju bhai [Ajinkya Rahane] called me that and [Rishabh] Pant has picked it up,” Patel said.