RCB vs DC: "I Am Still Batting 10-12 Over" - Axar Patel Says About The Idea Of Batting Higher In The Order

Last Update on: April 12th, 2023 at 11:21 am

Delhi Capitals (DC) all-rounder Axar Patel believes that despite his good batting form, he does not need to bat higher up in the order, as he is already getting to bat around 10-12 overs every game.

DC are having a dismal IPL 2023 season. Four matches in, they are the only team to not have registered a single win this season. They lost their most recent match to Mumbai Indians (MI) in a bottom-of-the-table contest.

With Axar Patel looking like the lone bright light in an otherwise stale DC batting lineup, he was asked in the post-match press conference whether he could be promoted in the batting order, to which he had this to say –

Also read: DC vs MI: “Axar Patel Should Bat In The Top Four The Way He Is Striking The Ball” – David Warner Points Out Positives After Loss To MI

“I also thought about that, but then I realised that I am still batting 10-12 overs (laughs). Wherever I bat, up the order or No. 7, I am feeling the same, so I am not talking much about it. 10-12 overs are enough for me, the way I am batting.”

Although he said this in jest and gave a more serious reply that the domestic players can play the spin better, it is concerning when the no.7 batter is consistently getting a decent amount of overs to play.

Also read: DC vs MI: “Unreal Fall” – Twitter Reacts As David Warner Plays Another Slow Knock In the IPL 2023

Against Mumbai, Axar Patel walked out to bat in the 13th over and scored 54-off-25. In fact, in every DC match except against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the 29-year-old came out to bat in the 13th over while batting at no.7.

Axar Patel puts some blame on himself for the loss against MI

Axar Patel takes responsibility and puts some blame on himself for DC’s loss against MI, despite being the team’s highest run scorer.

After the top and middle order failed to score many runs, and David Warner playing his regular slow knock, Axar Patel came out to bat at no.7 and scored a quickfire 50. He was then dismissed at the start of the 19th over. DC only managed to make 7 runs in those final two overs and lost 5 wickets.

Believing if he batted a little longer, Delhi Capitals could have won the match, he said –

“I would blame myself as well a bit. There were 10 balls left, so maybe I could have been a bit more watchful instead of going for the big shot. But, I was in good flow, so I thought if I could connect early, there would be more pressure on the bowler.”

Mumbai Indians ended up chasing the 173-run target on the final ball, with Tim David taking a double to seal the victory for his team.

Also read: DC vs MI: David Warner Breaks Virat Kohli’s Huge IPL Record To Achieve A Special Milestone In The Game Against Mumbai Indians

With a historic comeback needed for any chance to make it into the playoffs, DC will just play to get their first win when they next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 15.