IPL 2025: Axar Patel on Starc's Stellar Performance
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Synopsis
Axar Patel praised Mitchell Starc's exceptional performance in the IPL, where he took 5-35 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading Delhi Capitals to victory. The decision to bowl Starc for a third consecutive over during the power-play paid off, showcasing his great rhythm. Patel also emphasized the importance of teamwork and strategy for future matches.
Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Starc achieved a five-wicket haul with 5-35.
- Axar Patel noted the importance of rhythm in bowling.
- DC's victory strengthens their position in the league.
- Pat Cummins acknowledged SRH's need for improvement.
- Aniket Verma's performance was a highlight for SRH.
Visakhapatnam, March 30 (NationPress) Following Mitchell Starc's remarkable 5-35 performance, which laid the groundwork for Delhi Capitals to achieve a seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, captain Axar Patel expressed satisfaction with the decision to allow the left-arm bowler a third consecutive over during the power-play, noting that he was in excellent rhythm.
This match also marked the first occasion where Starc, who skillfully varied his pace, registered a five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. He claimed three wickets during the power-play, putting SRH on the defensive. Granting Starc an additional over in the power-play led to the dismissal of the dangerous Travis Head, leaving SRH in a precarious position at 37/4.
The remaining two wickets for Starc came in the latter stages of the innings, as SRH was bowled out for 163 in 18.4 overs. “The plan was to give Starc two overs at the beginning and two at the end, but since he was in such good rhythm, I opted to bowl him for a third over, which resulted in an important wicket,” Axar mentioned post-match.
Axar further added that he is enjoying his role as DC's captain and values the input from his teammates. With DC achieving two home victories in Visakhapatnam, they are well-positioned ahead of their return to their original home ground – Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi around mid-April.
“As I have stated before, I will continue to lead the team in this manner. It is essential to stay sharp with our game. No match can be taken lightly, as there are ten strong teams competing. We must concentrate on our strategies and processes, and today we succeeded in doing so,” he added.
“Our team comprises experienced players who provide me with valuable suggestions. Sometimes I implement their ideas, and I enjoy playing alongside them. We have been competing at Kotla for many years, and we will maintain similar strategies. It’s crucial to evaluate the conditions upon our return,” he continued.
On the other side, SRH captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that the team needs to reevaluate several aspects after experiencing two successive defeats. “We struggled to gain momentum and set a competitive score. While a few poor shots contributed to our downfall, dropped catches are part of this format,” he stated.
“It's not a significant margin; on another day, a couple of good shots could change the outcome. Not everything has gone our way in the past two matches, but it's too soon to panic about being two down. We will reassess our options moving forward,” he added.
Cummins concluded by praising young Aniket Verma for his impressive 41-ball 74. “Heading into the tournament, everyone was highly impressed by him during the lead-up (to the tournament). His performance was fantastic and gave us a fighting chance; he was remarkable during net sessions and practice games,” he remarked.
