Axar Patel is regarded as a hero within the Delhi Capitals side, even if his performances often go under the radar, according to Ravichandran Ashwin.
The left-arm spinner is the most economical bowler so far in the 2020 IPL, yet often goes about his work with barely a mention during the matches.
In four games so far, he has yet to go for more than 18 runs. He has conceded just three boundaries in the tournament to date, and no sixes.
Restored to the side against Royal Challengers Bangalore after missing their match against Kolkata Knight Riders at the weekend, he was straight back into his routine.
He took two for 18, including the wickets of Bangalore’s overseas batsmen Aaron Finch and Moeen Ali, and limited the scoring rate of Virat Kohli in the process.
Ashwin, his more celebrated spin-bowling partner, says Axar is full appreciated by his teammates.
“Sometimes what happens in T20 cricket is we blow up images, stats and numbers of bowlers who get the purple cap [for leading wicket-taker],” Ashwin said.
“Even likewise for the orange cap [for leading run-scrorer], sometimes I feel it is a little too overrated in a game like T20.
“It is somewhat like football where people are playing their roles. One such player is Axar.
“He always goes under the radar. He bowls those good overs that build the pressure up for someone else to capitalise with wickets.
“These are the heroes that are really appreciated inside the dressing room for Delhi Capitals. Ricky [Ponting, the coach] is very particular on that.
“We stick to the roles and when you feel appreciated, people want to hold on to their roles.”
Delhi beat Bangalore by 59 runs at the Dubai International Stadium to return to the top of the IPL table.
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Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore player ratings
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DELHI CAPITALS RATINGS: Prithvi Shaw – 8. Provided his side with just the sort of fast start they were after, making 42 off 23 before being caught down the leg-side off Siraj. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Shikhar Dhawan – 6. Into the 30s again, but could not keep pace with Shaw at the other end, and fell trying to up the rate. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Shreyas Iyer – 5. Made it to 11 off 13, then fell to a brilliant catch by Padikkal on the boundary, which the fielder relayed to himself. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Rishabh Pant – 7. Appeared to be competing for both strike and scoring rate with Stoinis, which was no bad thing for his team given the circumstances. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Marcus Stoinis – 9. Brutal against his former side. He was unbeaten on 53 off 26 balls when the innings reached its end. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Shimron Hetmyer – 7. Only had seven balls at the end of the innings, so the 11 he scored was a fair effort. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Axar Patel – 9.5. Two four 18 from four overs, including the wickets of Finch and Moeen. The most economical bowler in the tournament so far. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Ravichandran Ashwin – 7. Had to fight his urge to run out Finch, who was miles out of his ground backing up. One for 26 was a strong return. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Kagiso Rabada – 9. Spared Finch first ball when he downed a return catch, but still ended with four for 24 from his quota. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Anrich Nortje – 9. Another fine return by one of the signings of the season. His two for 22 included the wicket of De Villiers. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Harshal Patel – 5. The only one of the Delhi bowlers to really suffer as he went for 43 from his four overs. Sportzpics for BCCI -
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE RATINGS: Devdutt Padikkal – 5. Chipped a catch to Stoinis off Ashwin when on four. He had been outstanding in the field, particularly in catching Iyer. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Aaron Finch – 4. In the time it took him to make 13, he could have been out three times. Rabada dropped a caught and bowled first ball. Ashwin spared him from a run-out while backing up. Finally he fell to Axar. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Virat Kohli - 7. More time spent at the crease should help him. He made 43 from 39 balls before falling to Rabada. Sportzpics for BCCI -
AB de Villiers – 4. Fell to his compatriot Nortje when on nine, as he top edged a skier to Dhawan at mid-on. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Moeen Ali – 6. Struggled with the bat, and was not exactly miserly with the ball. At least he got the wicket of Iyer, though. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Washington Sundar – 8. Superb again. Celebrated his 21st birthday by going for less runs – 20 – off his four overs. Tried to get the run chase moving, but it was too late by then. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Shivam Dube – 5. Not given a chance to bowl this time around, and the game was gone by the time he got to the wicket to bat. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Isuru Udana – 7. His figures might not reflect it, but the Sri Lankan seamer has been a valuable addition to the RCB line up. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Navdeep Saini – 2. Conceded 48 from three overs, and bowled an ugly, 143kph beamer that crushed the fingers of Stoinis. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Yuzvendra Chahal – 5. A rare occasion where he neither made an impact, nor finished his quota of four overs. Sportzpics for BCCI -
Mohammed Siraj – 6. A mixed bag. Dismissed Shaw and Pant, but – like Saini to Stoinis – let slip a beamer at Delhi’s wicketkeeper. Sportzpics for BCCI
