BCCI names star all-rounder Axar Patel the 'Impact Player' of the Asia Cup match against Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) handed star all-rounder Axar Patel the 'Impact Player' of the match medal for India's win against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. 

Axar made a strong impact with the ball and on the field as he took two wickets for 18 in his four overs and also grabbed a catch during India's seven-wicket win over the arch-rivals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Axar controlled the middle phase along with spin partners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as they choked the Pakistani batters for runs after the powerplay. 

The left-arm spinner also scalped the wickets of hard-hitting batter Fakhar Zaman and opposition skipper Salman Agha, while taking the catch of Hasan Nawaz off Kuldeep's bowling. 

For his efforts with the ball and on the field, Axar won the Impact Player medal during a dressing room meetup of the Indian team after their Pakistan victory.

While Axar won the 'Impact Player' medal, Kuldeep was adjudged as the Man of the Match for India's win. The left-arm wrist spinner also starred with the ball, picking three wickets for 18 in his four overs. 

Axar and Kuldeep had



a candid chat with each other after the win. "You have won back-to-back Man of the Match awards. How do you feel after getting to play after such a long time?" Axar asked Kuldeep during the interaction.

"It feels great to play again after such a long gap. Maybe the hard work that I did for the two months in England I am reaping the fruits of it. I trained hard and ticked all the boxes, as I knew I would get an opportunity to play in the Asia Cup, as the UAE conditions seemed favourable," Kuldeep said.

Axar then asked Kuldeep what his mindset is during pressure moments. "How important is it when you are under match pressure and at that time, you have confidence and everything, but yet you have to deliver on your own? So what's your thought process and mindset then?" Axar quizzed.

Kuldeep referred to Axar as his IPL captain and gave a humorous reply. "Absolutely, Captain!! There are very small things, just like today, when we were bowling, you told me to put more revs on the ball; hence, I started using the grip and spin on the ball. You had picked 2 wickets and then I picked 3 more, which was a collective effort from the team, but I have to credit you especially for bowling really well first up," Kuldeep responded.