Most players in the Indian national cricket team are comfortable speaking English. Even those who begin their careers with limited English often improve over years of international exposure. However, all-rounder Axar Patel stands out as an exception. Despite representing India for more than 11 years, he continues to prefer speaking in Hindi.
There is a common belief that a player who lacks fluency in English cannot become a captain at the highest level. Axar Patel disagrees with this idea. According to the 31-year-old spinner, leadership in cricket should not be judged by language proficiency but by clarity of thought and communication skills.
In an interview with The Indian Express ahead of India’s first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Axar said, “For a long time, there has been a misconception that only those fluent in English or with a certain personality can lead a team. True leadership comes from clear thinking and precise planning, not from how well you speak a language.”
Having played 168 matches for India across formats, Axar elaborated, “People often say, ‘He doesn’t know English, how will he speak?’ But a captain’s job isn’t only to speak—it’s to understand his players, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and help them perform at their best.”
He further added, “It’s a public misconception that personality and good English define leadership. People need to change that mindset. Language should never be a barrier to leadership.”
Axar also reflected on how modern perceptions are shaped by media and social media. “Nowadays, everything depends on what you see and what the media shows. People judge you based on how active you are online or how you speak. Everyone feels entitled to say, ‘He can lead, he cannot,’” he remarked.
Although Axar has never captained India, he led the Delhi Capitals in the IPL this year for the first time as a full-time skipper. Under his leadership, Delhi finished fifth in the league table, narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
Sharing his leadership philosophy, Axar said, “I want the team environment to be friendly and lively, but that shouldn’t lead to complacency. There must be discipline. Winning comes first; fun follows. I believe players perform best when they enjoy their cricket.”
Despite being a regular in India’s ODI and T20 sides over the past two years, Axar has had limited opportunities in Tests. It remains uncertain whether he will feature in the playing XI for the Kolkata Test, with the team management considering a three-spinner combination that could include Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar.