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Delhi Capitals' (DC) vice-captain Axar Patel has been in stupendous for this season, especially with the bat. With six losses from eight games, DC could have won a few had they not held back Patel who has proved himself more than just a lower-order batter for the past few months, both in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 and international cricket. DC head coach Ricky Ponting, skipper David Warner have been asked why the team management has been reluctant about sending Patel up the order. On the eve of their clash against defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT), assistant coach Pravin Amre explained why DC have been rigid about the all-rounder’s batting position.
"Axar has the ability to finish the game. We need someone to play the finisher's role. He has struck the highest number of sixes for us this season. Therefore, we have to hold him back sometimes, so that he can play the finisher's role in the batting order," Amre told the reporters.
The 29-year-old is DC's second-highest run-scorer of the season. The left-handed batter has scored 211 runs from eight innings at an average of 35.17 including one half-century. The southpaw has scored at a strike rate of 142.57. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in the run chase of 198, Phil Salt and Mitchell Marsh's half-centuries had set the tone but the middle-order failed to capitalise. Patel contributed with an unbeaten 14-ball 29 but too many runs needed to be scored in the slog overs. DC ended up losing the match by nine runs.
While DC are at the bottom of the table, Amre believes that the Warner-led side can change their fortune when they take on Hardik Pandya's brigade at Narendra Modi Stadium on May 2.
"Many teams have made comebacks after a poor start in the IPL. That's the beauty of this tournament. Any team can beat any side. That's why we have to give our best. It's going to be challenging for us to play against Gujarat. But you never know, what can happen in the IPL," Amre said.
The 54-year-old wants the underperforming middle-order batters to improve so that LSG can take two points from the game.
"We have to stay in the present and focus on taking the two points in our next game. Our middle order has to bat better and we'll look to improve our batting in the death overs," he concluded.
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