10 things you may not know about Axar Patel

6. Had a 7 wicket haul in the ACC Emerging Cup 2013

He was one of the key contributors when India won the Under-23 title in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2013, with seven wickets. He also snatched away four wickets in the semi-final against UAE.

7. Was a Ranji Trophy success story

He made his Ranji Trophy debut against Madhya Pradesh in November, 2012, but that was the only game he played that season for Gujarat. However, he had a more successful showing in 2013. He was one of the consistent performers for Gujarat in the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy, finishing the season with 369 runs at an average of 46.12 and 29 wickets at an economy rate of 23.58 in seven matches, ending up as the side’s third highest wicket-taker.

8. When he sat out for a whole IPL season

The left-arm orthodox spinner was given an IPL contract by Mumbai Indians for IPL-6, but did not get a game. In 2013, he had a successful time at the Ranji. This impressed the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) management, who were looking for some local talent ahead of the auctions for IPL 7. Eventually, KXIP's decision to rope him into the squad turned out to be a masterstroke as Patel went on to become one the top performers of the season. Although he considers himself as a batting all-rounder, Patel troubled many a batsman with his accurate, wicket-to-wicket bowling and ended the tournament with 17 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.22 and also scored a few handy runs with the bat. He was adjudged the 'Emerging Player of the Year' for IPL.

9. Was awarded the BCCI U-19 Cricketer of the Year

In 2014, after his impressive Ranji stint, noteworthy IPL performance and an India call-up, Patel was awarded the BCCI Under-19 Cricketer of the Year 2013-2014.

10. Six overs, six maidens, four wickets

Axar Patel's 6-6-0-4 helped India A defeat South Africa A in the second unofficial Test and claim the series 1-0. South Africa A had no chance against the Gujarat spinner on the final day of their Test at Wayanad. The batsmen, in their second innings, fell like a pack of cards as the 21-year-old not only claimed four wickets but did not give away a single run in his six overs - an effort which helped his side win the match by an innings and 81 runs on August 28, 2015. Patel had also claimed a fifer (5/92) in South Africa A's first innings.