Rohit Sharma Apologizes After Dropped Catch Denies Axar Patel Maiden ODI Hat-Trick

Rohit Sharma Apologizes: Dubai International Stadium is a place where the Indian spinner, Axar Patel, may be on the edge of history. Only four Indian bowlers have, until now, accomplished a hat-trick in ODI cricket, one of them being a spinner (Kuldeep Yadav - twice), but none came at a Champions Trophy. A bowler has only once picked up a hat-trick in the history of the 50-over ICC extravaganza - Jerome Taylor of West Indies in 2006. On this Thursday, Axar got an opportunity to join the proud membership of the ex-Caribbean pacer but for a dropped catch by captain Rohit Sharma at first slip in India's Group A match against Bangladesh.

On the hat-trick ball, Rohit put two slips and a leg slip in place, as Axar dished out a similar ball against Jaker Ali. The ball took a thick outside edge and went straight towards Rohit at first slip, but the regulation catch was put down. The 37-year-old was in disbelief and hit the turf repeatedly in anger three to four times before apologising to Axar with folded hands.

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The ninth over commenced with Axar making an impression and capturing Tanzid Hasan as his first victim in this contest. The left-hander hung back against the flat ball on a length wide of off to push it through the off-side but got a thick outside edge before wicketkeeper KL Rahul completed the formalities. He dismissed the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim off the next ball without allowing him to score. The batter lunged forward to block an in-drifter but the ball spun sharply past the blade, trimming the shoulder of the bat and landing safely into the keeper's mitts.

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India's impactful show in Powerplay

India lost the toss and Rohit said, "We would want to bat first in Dubai." And the bowler seemed to execute the plans perfectly as in three power-play overs, two-time champions reduced Bangladesh to five down for just 39 runs.

Mohammed Shami drew the first blood, taking two quick wickets by dismissing Soumya Sarkar and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He has 20 wickets in ICC ODI matches since 2015, the second-highest after Trent Boult, at an amazing strike rate of 19.8. Harshit Rana picked the other wicket while Axar has two scalps.

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