India Vs Bangladesh, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma Denies Axar Patel His First International Hat-Trick - Watch

The experienced batter dropped a straightforward catch at first slip, preventing left-arm spinner Axar Patel from claiming a historic hat-trick.

Axar, introduced into the attack in the ninth over, made an immediate impact by dismissing Tanzid Hasan (25 off 25) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0 off 1) in successive deliveries.

Both batters edged the ball behind to wicketkeeper KL Rahul, leaving Axar on the brink of becoming the first spinner in Champions Trophy history to claim a hat-trick.

Sensing the opportunity, Rohit Sharma set an aggressive field with three slips in place. On the hat-trick delivery, Axar got one to turn and bounce just outside off, drawing a thick edge from Jaker Ali. The ball flew straight to Rohit at first slip, but the Indian captain, despite having ample time, failed to hold onto the catch.

Frustrated with himself, Rohit slammed the ground in disappointment and muttered a few words in frustration. The Indian skipper was also seen apologizing to Axar for the missed opportunity.

Despite the dropped catch, India dominated the early exchanges of the match. Pace duo Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana set the tone with an incisive opening spell before Axar Patel continued the demolition job, leaving Bangladesh reeling within the first 10 overs.

Interestingly, Bangladesh had opted to bat first after winning the toss, a decision that backfired as they lost half their side cheaply on a pitch that is expected to assist bowlers later in the second innings.

Axar Patel came agonizingly close to etching his name in the record books. Had he completed the hat-trick, he would have joined West Indies pacer Jerome Taylor as the only bowlers to achieve the feat in Champions Trophy history. Taylor remains the sole bowler to have taken a hat-trick in the competition, accomplishing the rare feat against Australia in 2006.