In first post-Covid game, Axar Patel volunteered to bowl Super Over

Chennai, April 26

Delhi Capitals’ left-arm spinner Axar Patel said he had volunteered to bowl the Super Over in their IPL win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, in his first game since recovering from Covid-19.

After being handed the ball for the Super Over, Patel conceded only seven runs against David Warner and Kane Williamson, paving the way for DC’s win. SRH managed just one boundary, setting an easy eight-run target for DC, who won despite Rashid Khan’s brilliance.

“When I was in the dressing room, I knew that the pitch would assist spinners,” Patel said about the challenging Chepauk wicket. “When we went down, there were a lot of discussions. We thought initially that we could go with a pacer since they will be sending a left-right combination.”

“After that, just when we were going to the ground, I thought, even a spinner could be effective. So I told Rishabh: ‘Even I can bowl, think about it’. He spoke to Ricky (coach Ricky Ponting) and it was decided at the last moment that I will bowl,” added Patel

The move paid off as Patel used his variations very effectively.

Patel, who joined the DC camp only three days prior to their match against SRH after recovering from Covid-19, also returned excellent figures of 2/26 in his quota of four overs.

“I was ready from my end,” he said on being asked about returning to the playing XI. “The team management asked me how I am feeling after Covid. You know your body better. I had done four sessions already.”

“On Chennai’s wicket, the ball has been coming slow and turning. I told the management that I’m match fit, so they told me that if I’m ready I will play straightaway,” the left-arm spinner added.

“I was bowling well even before Covid – in the Tests as well as the T20s,” Patel said, referring to his performance against England. “I was carrying that confidence. I wasn’t thinking too much about Covid. Obviously, it was a frustrating phase,” he added. — TNS, Agencies