Cricket

India's thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was a testament to the team's resilience and the brilliance of its individual players. After a shaky start with the bat, India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket haul, kept Pakistan in check. Rishabh Pant's counter-attacking knock of 42 and Axar Patel's crucial 20 runs at number four proved decisive.In a post-match interview, Axar revealed that his promotion to the batting order was made easier by Pant's jovial demeanor. "He was joking around and having fun between deliveries," said Axar. "He knew that I would become a little easy."Axar's bowling plan against Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim was to avoid giving him any balls in his range. "I talked to Rohit bhai and told him I would bowl in the cut," said Axar. "If he hits the four on the cut or the cover, then it is okay. Because that is a very difficult shot."Pant, who took three crucial catches in the game, said his gameplan was to play with a positive mindset. "India-Pakistan is always a match of pressure," said Pant. "We were talking to each other and we were getting comfortable with each other. We did not think much about the situation."Mohammed Siraj, who scored valuable runs in the end, said he has been practicing his batting a lot in the nets. "All the runs made by the tailenders are very crucial at the end of the day," said Siraj. "I am very happy with those seven runs and I won the match."Regarding his bowling plan, Siraj said he wanted to keep things simple. "My only plan was to get a low score," said Siraj. "I do not try too much. I keep a simple plan and execute it wherever I can."India's victory was a collective effort, with each player contributing in their own way. Bumrah's match-winning spell, Pant's counter-attacking knock, Axar's crucial runs, and Siraj's valuable runs and wickets were all key factors in India's success.

Axar Patel, the unsung hero of India's thrilling victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, despite his contributions going largely unnoticed.Promoted to the unfamiliar No. 4 spot with India reeling at 19-2, Axar steadied the innings with a crucial 20 off 18 balls, providing a much-needed platform for the middle order. His innings was particularly impressive considering the challenging pitch conditions.With the ball, Axar followed up Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant 15th over with a stingy one of his own, conceding only two runs and putting immense pressure on Pakistan's batters. His ability to control the run rate and prevent boundaries proved crucial in the context of the match.Despite his impressive performance, Axar remains humble and downplays his contributions. "I don't think my over was the turning point," he said. "Every over was important, and the captain's changes seemed to be working."However, Axar's tactical acumen was evident in his bowling strategy. He bowled a couple of deliveries wide outside the off-stump, forcing the batters to shuffle in, before pushing one in that kept them guessing."It was important to play with their minds," Axar explained. "When I bowled outside, I knew they would come in, so I pushed it in."Axar's batting prowess has often been overlooked, but the team management recognizes his importance. In the practice sessions leading up to the Pakistan match, Rohit Sharma emphasized the need for Axar to improve his batting form."The captain has said that no position is fixed apart from the openers," Axar said. "We have to go up and down as per the need of the hour."With India playing only four specialist batters, the role of the allrounders becomes even more crucial. Axar, with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, is a vital cog in the team's balance."It is about the balance," Axar said. "We have batting till No. 8 and seven bowlers to fall back on. Having options are crucial."

On the seam-friendly pitches of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Axar Patel's left-arm spin has taken a backseat to the pacers. However, Patel has emerged as a valuable asset with the bat. Promoted to No. 4 in the Pakistan outing on Sunday, he anchored the Indian innings with an 18-ball 20.Patel's primary task was to navigate the PowerPlay safely. By hanging around long enough to neutralize the new ball, he paved the way for the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube to bat with greater ease. "Rohit (Sharma) bhai has made it clear that the only fixed batting positions are those of the openers. Everything below that is flexible," Patel explained. "I got a brief—I don't have to slog wildly. The plan was to bat as long as possible and make the new ball a bit older. This would make it easier for batters coming after me."Patel's 39-run third-wicket partnership with Rishabh Pant proved crucial in the low-scoring affair. "The partnership with Rishabh was crucial. We got to a good position after 10 overs. We knew that batting second on this pitch would not be easy, so we remained positive even though we scored only 119," Patel said.Despite bowling only three overs in India's two matches, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner has made an impact. He trapped Usman Khan leg-before off the first ball he bowled and later tightened the screws on Pakistan by conceding just two runs in the 16th over. Left-hander Imad Wasim, expected to have it easy against a left-arm spinner, was beaten three times in a row. "Some pressure built up because I bowled a tidy over. There is not much in the wicket for the spinners. I did not want to let them free their arms and go for big shots," Patel said.

Match 64 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 promises an enthralling clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday. Both teams are vying for a crucial victory to bolster their playoff aspirations.DC, currently sixth in the standings with 12 points from 13 matches, will be eager to bounce back from their recent defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Axar Patel, with 98 fantasy points, was the standout performer for DC in that match.LSG, on the other hand, are seventh in the table with 12 points from 12 matches. They suffered a setback in their last outing against SunRisers Hyderabad, despite Ayush Badoni's impressive 82 fantasy points.Players to Watch Out For:DC:* Rishabh Pant: The wicket-keeper and left-handed batter has been a reliable force for DC, scoring 413 runs in 12 matches.* Axar Patel: The all-rounder has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 221 runs and taking 10 wickets.* Kuldeep Yadav: The slow left-arm chinaman bowler has been a key wicket-taker for DC, claiming 15 wickets in 10 matches.LSG:* KL Rahul: The skipper and right-handed batter has been consistent, scoring 460 runs in 12 matches.* Marcus Stoinis: The all-rounder provides stability with his batting and bowling, scoring 355 runs and taking four wickets.* Yash Thakur: The right-arm medium-fast bowler is LSG's leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets in 10 matches.With these top performers on the field, the DC vs LSG clash promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams will be determined to secure a victory that could significantly impact their playoff chances.

The Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes suffered a major setback as they succumbed to a 47-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial encounter. The match was marred by the absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant, who was suspended for one match due to a slow over-rate offense.In Pant's absence, Axar Patel took over the captaincy reins, but the team struggled to find its rhythm. RCB posted a competitive total of 189/5, thanks to a blistering 66 from Rajat Patidar and a crucial 58 from Glenn Maxwell.DC's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four wickets in the powerplay. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs were both run out in unfortunate circumstances, further compounding the team's woes.Despite a valiant effort from Mitchell Marsh (55), DC never truly recovered from their early setbacks. They were eventually bowled out for 142, handing RCB a comfortable victory.The defeat leaves DC's playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They are currently fifth in the standings with 12 points, but their net run rate of -0.482 is significantly lower than RCB's 0.387.Axar Patel, who stood in as captain for the match, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. "Dropped catches hurt us. We could have restricted them to 150. Also when you lose four wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game," he said.Pant, who has been a key figure for DC this season, did not directly address his suspension but shared a cryptic post on Instagram. "The only thing we have power over in the universe is our own thoughts. Can't say much," he wrote.With just one match remaining in the league stage, DC's chances of reaching the playoffs appear slim. However, they will be hoping for a miracle and will need to win their final game against Mumbai Indians while also relying on other results going their way.

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in Axar Patel's ability to lead the team in the absence of suspended captain Rishabh Pant. Pant was banned for one match after an altercation with Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav during their previous encounter.Ponting praised Patel's experience and understanding of the game, saying, "He has been vice-captain for the last couple of seasons and he is very sensible and understands the game really well."The coach also acknowledged the challenge of replacing Pant, who has been Delhi's best batter this season. However, he believes the team has the depth to overcome his absence."Rishabh has been one of the best players this IPL and not having him is a loss. But it is also a great opportunity for others," Ponting said.David Warner, who has missed the last four matches due to injury, is expected to be available for selection. Ponting expressed optimism about his return, saying, "David Warner has trained really strongly. We hope he is available for selection."The Delhi Capitals will face the Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 11 in Bengaluru. The match will be a crucial test for Patel's leadership and the team's ability to adapt without Pant.

Delhi Capitals Aim to Maintain Momentum Against Royal Challengers BengaluruWith the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs looming, Delhi Capitals will face a crucial test against the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their penultimate league stage match on Sunday. The Capitals, who secured a vital victory in their previous outing, will be determined to keep their momentum going and secure a top-four finish.However, Delhi will be without their skipper Rishabh Pant, who has been suspended for slow over rate. In Pant's absence, Axar Patel will lead the team, bringing his experience and leadership qualities to the fore.Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Patel's ability to lead the team. "He's been Vice-Captain at this franchise for the last couple of seasons. He's a very experienced IPL player, an experienced international player, a sensible guy, understands the game really well," Ponting said.Ponting acknowledged the challenge posed by RCB, who have won their last four matches. However, he emphasized the Capitals' impressive form in recent games. "We've won five of our last seven, and we've made some huge scores along the way. There are no excuses from us tomorrow, regardless of Pant not being in the lineup," he said.Regarding team selection, Ponting provided an update on David Warner's fitness. "David Warner missed the last game, he got that nasty knock on his hand about a month ago now and hasn't played a game since. He trained really strongly yesterday, he'll be out hitting balls in the middle now, so he'll be doing some more batting today. Hopefully, he's available for selection for tomorrow," Ponting said.The Delhi Capitals will be eager to put in a strong performance against RCB and secure a crucial victory that could boost their chances of reaching the playoffs. The match promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in their IPL 2024 encounter against Delhi Capitals (DC), securing a 7-wicket triumph. Phil Salt's exceptional performance, with a blistering 68 runs off just 33 deliveries, propelled KKR to victory and solidified their position in the top two of the points table.Axar Patel emerged as the lone shining light for DC, claiming two wickets and effectively controlling the run rate. However, it was his remarkable delivery that dismissed Salt that garnered widespread acclaim from the cricketing fraternity, including former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu.On the opening delivery of the ninth over, Axar employed an arm-ball that deceived Salt. The ball turned sharply from a length, crashing into the stumps and leaving the batsman bewildered. Sidhu, providing commentary, drew comparisons between Axar and the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. He praised Axar's ability to outsmart the in-form batter, stating, "This came at the speed of a bullet. Bishan Singh Bedi used to do this very often. To outfox a batsman who was playing like this, sending him back, Axar, wah! (Ek set batsman ko bewakoof banake ghar bhejna... Axar, you beauty) That's why Axar Patel is selected again and again in the Indian team."With just one day remaining before countries announce their squads for the T20 World Cup in June, players from all 10 IPL teams are eager to impress the national selectors. Axar's name is among those being considered for a place in the squad, given his impressive form with both bat and ball.According to various reports, India's squad is expected to be announced on Tuesday, April 30. BCCI secretary Jay Shah will meet with the India selectors in Ahmedabad prior to the announcement. On Sunday, India skipper Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Rahul Dravid, and other BCCI officials held a meeting in New Delhi to discuss the squad.The selectors face a challenging decision in choosing between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as the third opener for the marquee event. Additionally, the bowling fitness of all-rounder Hardik Pandya remains a concern for the selectors.

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his belief that all-rounder Axar Patel will secure a spot in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ganguly highlighted Patel's versatility as a key factor in his selection, emphasizing his ability to contribute both with the bat and ball.Patel has impressed throughout the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, showcasing his bowling prowess with an impressive economy rate of 7.06. However, it is his batting that has caught Ganguly's attention. When promoted up the order against the Gujarat Titans, Patel displayed his power-hitting abilities, demonstrating his potential to provide valuable runs in the middle order."Axar is a certainty for the T20 World Cup," Ganguly stated. "He can bat at No. 8 and contribute 15-20 runs, which is crucial in T20 cricket. He can also smack spinners, making him a valuable asset."Ganguly, who serves as the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals, praised Patel's all-around abilities, comparing him to fellow all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. "Jadeja and Axar are incredibly talented and gifted," Ganguly said. "They can bat, bowl, and field, making them invaluable to any team."Ganguly also acknowledged Patel's batting prowess in Test cricket, highlighting his ability to score runs under pressure on turning pitches. "He has the ability to strike the ball and doesn't need time for technique in T20 cricket," Ganguly explained. "He's a tremendous cricketer who can contribute in all aspects of the game."In addition to Patel, Ganguly expressed confidence in wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Pant has recovered well from his recent injuries and has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring three half-centuries."Rishabh will go to the T20 World Cup," Ganguly asserted. "He's a surety in the Indian team. He's a world-class player who can keep, bat, and captain."Ganguly acknowledged the competition for the wicketkeeper's spot, with players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dinesh Karthik also in contention. However, he believes Pant's all-around abilities make him the standout choice.