Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel overcame a poor season with the bat in the must-win game against Punjab Kings (PBKS). After top-order collapse, Axar's first fifty of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 played a major role in the record-breaking run chase at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, on May 11. Axar's attacking display impressed his former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara. Despite an early reprieve, Pujara was happy to see Axar show aggressive intent. he feels that the all-rounder isn't a normal batter, but a hard hitter who takes the game to the opposition.
"The way Axar approached his batting in this innings was perfect. He is a batter who has to play aggressively. He can't play like a normal batter. He is a hard hitter, and that's how he has scored his runs throughout his career. But this season, his intent has been to rotate strike and try to play like a batter who gets set and then attacks," Pujara said on Star Sports.
Pujara said that Axar can take on spinners and pacers alike. He does not want the DC skipper to focus at rotating the strike or defending.
"He used to come at No.5 mainly to take on the spinners. And he has the potential to take on the seamers as well. That's why he has to play aggressively anytime he walks in to bat. When he tries to rotate the strike and is tentative, that's when he gets out. Defence is not his strength," he added.
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In the run chase of 211, Axar had to walk into the bat in the fifth over. He went on to score 56 runs from 30 balls, featuring eight fours and a couple of sixes. His partnership with David Miller set the tone for the run chase before lower-middle order batters finished it off with an over to spare.
Axar’s late turnaround
Axar completed 100 runs in the ongoing IPL season. Before the Dharamsala knock, he had managed to score just 44 runs from eight innings. In the home game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) he tried to do damage control and ended up scoring just 11 runs from 22 balls. Despite the 30-ball 56, his strike rate this season is 112.35.
DC’s next 2 games of IPL 2026
Axar would look to continue his form in DC’s remaining two games as well. Their next match is against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 17. Then, they will head to Eden Gardens and face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on May 24.