IPL 2025: Axar's Leadership Shines in DC's Victory, Watson Praises
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Synopsis
Shane Watson commended Axar Patel for his impactful performance leading the Delhi Capitals to a victory over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. Axar's bowling and batting were crucial in the match, showcasing his leadership qualities compared to Rishabh Pant.
Key Takeaways
- Axar Patel excelled with both bat and ball in IPL 2025.
- Delhi Capitals defeated Lucknow Super Giants convincingly.
- KL Rahul reached a milestone of 5000 IPL runs.
- Mukesh Kumar's bowling was pivotal for DC's success.
- Shane Watson highlighted the importance of Axar's leadership.
New Delhi, April 23 (NationPress) Shane Watson, the former Australia all-rounder, expressed his admiration for Axar Patel and his significant contributions that led the Delhi Capitals (DC) to a decisive victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025.
At the BRSABV Ekana Stadium, Axar bowled four overs, securing figures of 0/29. Nevertheless, his economy rate outperformed that of Kuldeep Yadav, who failed to take a wicket for the first time this season.
With the bat, Axar played a crucial role, finishing with 34 runs off 20 balls, as DC successfully chased down the target of 160 in just 17.5 overs. His performance highlighted his leadership skills over LSG’s captain, Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for a duck after batting at number seven.
"While the pitch improved for batting, it was Axar Patel's aggressive approach from the start that was impressive. LSG's bowlers did not pose a significant challenge early on, but he made the most of it. This was the type of innings LSG needed from Rishabh Pant,” Watson remarked during a discussion on JioHotstar.
Axar partnered with KL Rahul, who scored 57 not out, marking his third fifty of the season. This match was particularly notable for Rahul as it was his first encounter with LSG after his departure from the franchise. He also achieved the milestone of 5000 runs in the IPL, becoming the fastest player to reach this mark in just 130 innings, finishing the game with a six.
"KL Rahul displayed his usual mastery—batting with poise. He didn’t need to take unnecessary risks; instead, he played steadily and chose his moments wisely. His ability to adapt is a tremendous asset for the Delhi Capitals," Watson added.
Watson commended pacer Mukesh Kumar for his impressive performance, recording figures of 4-33 in the middle overs, particularly highlighting his yorker that dismissed Mitchell Marsh. "Mukesh Kumar bowled exceptionally well, utilizing the conditions effectively. The yorker that got Marsh was a standout delivery. Marsh was in good form, making it a crucial wicket. Mukesh's commitment and focus on key wickets in the middle overs were commendable," Watson noted.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu evaluated Abishek Porel’s innings of 51, noting that he should have finished the match. "Porel played well, although not always with control; he hit a few streaky shots, but he managed to score effectively.
“Ideally, he should have seen the innings through, similar to what KL Rahul accomplished. He has room for growth in his batting—perhaps improving his boundary selection, like Sai Sudharsan. Overall, it was a good innings," he concluded.
