IPL 2020: The unsung hero of Delhi Capitals – Axar Patel
As the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is approaching towards its business end, the race for playoffs has entered its crux stage. Like every year, several big names of the cricket fraternity are making a big statement with their performance with the bat, ball or both. In the background of these stars, there are some unheralded players who are making a big difference and have been pivotal for their teams.
One such name is the left-arm orthodox spinner from Gujarat, Axar Patel. At the beginning of the 2020 edition of the T20 extravaganza, it was believed that the new recruit Ravichandran Ashwin would be the poster boy of Delhi Capitals’ spin attack. However, it is the underrated Axar Patel who has been the real lynchpin for the Capitals and has emerged as their trump card. The injury to DC’s other mainstay spinner Amit Mishra has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Patel and he is now a permanent feature of the team’s playing XI.
Extremely economical
Axar’s primary job is to curb the free-flowing stroke play for the batsmen in the Powerplay and give his team some breathing space. In the 2019 edition, the 26-year-old had played 14 fixtures for Capitals, taking 10 wickets and had given runs at an economy rate of 7.13. However, the 2020 edition has changed the fortunes for the finger spinner as he has been economical with just 5.74 runs per over in nine games thus far.
With 8 important scalps to his name, Axar has also been successful in giving breakthroughs to his team in crucial stages, KXIP’s Sarfaraz Khan being his first wicket of this season. Only veterans like Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Rashid Khan, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Chris Morris and Kolkata Knight Riders’ Lockie Ferguson have a better economy rate than Axar.
Axar has shone with the bat too
Though he has been impressive with the ball thus far in the league, it is Axar’s exploits with the bat that have been the focal point of discussion among fans. In a reverse-clash against Chennai Super Kings on October 17, Saturday, Delhi Capitals needed 16 off the last six balls to seal the game and claim the position of table-toppers.
The left-hander Axar then smashed three spectacular sixes off the deliveries by the experienced spinner Ravindra Jadeja to take his team home. That day, the southpaw became a messiah for his franchise by scoring 21 runs off just 5 balls.
It would not be wrong to say that Axar has easily outplayed other spin-all-rounders like Jadeja and Krunal Pandya in IPL 2020. For his heroics with both bat and ball, the 26-year-old can truly be hailed as the ‘unsung hero’ of the Delhi Capitals.
