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During an ODI match against Bangladesh on February 20, 2025, an incident left Indian cricket fans with a mix of excitement and disappointment. Axar Patel, the talented Indian all-rounder, was on the verge of his first hat-trick in ODI cricket. However, a dropped catch by India captain Rohit Sharma at first slip denied him this rare feat.

Axar Patel bowled impressively by dismissing Bangladesh batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Tanzid Hasan consecutively in his first over. As he went for the elusive hat-trick, the opportunity slipped away when Rohit Sharma missed a relatively easy catch. Despite this setback, Patel took the event in stride, emphasizing that such events are a natural part of the game and expressed no blame towards Sharma.

In this pivotal match, Rohit Sharma was positioned at first slip with support from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Their efforts collectively contributed to the Indian bowling strategy, although this particular moment proved unfortunate for Patel.

The match saw Bangladesh struggle initially, finding themselves reduced to 35 for five. This was due to the efforts of India’s bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana, who claimed the first three wickets of the innings. Harshit Rana ended up with three dismissals, while Mohammed Shami shone brightly with a five-wicket haul.

Despite the early collapse, Bangladesh managed to recover strongly. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali forged a formidable 154-run partnership, playing a crucial role in Bangladesh’s fightback. Hridoy shone with a century, marking him as the fifth Bangladesh player to achieve a century in the Champions Trophy. Eventually, Bangladesh was bowled out for 228 runs, setting India a target of 229 for victory.

In conclusion, while Axar Patel’s hat-trick chance was missed due to an unfortunate error, the match demonstrated the unpredictability and sportsmanship inherent in cricket. Despite the missed opportunity, Patel’s response showcased his professionalism and understanding of the game.

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