Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has a unique way of motivating his players as head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) in Indian Premier League (IPL), revealed the team's left-arm spinner Akshar Patel. 

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"Ricky would give a separate Man of the Match award in the dressing room for someone who used to contribute to the team with an exclusive badge," said Akshar during an Instagram live session organised by the Delhi franchise. 

"I ended up winning it five times, and it ended up being a good recognition for me personally and it felt good to have contributed to the team’s victories."

Akshar heaped effusive praise on skipper Shreyas Iyer, as his friendly presence ensured that the spinner could transition swiftly to a new team environment after shifting base from Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) ahead of IPL 2019. 

"I’ve played with Shreyas at India A also and when I came to Delhi Capitals, it was really easy for me because we bond really well. On the field, he gives freedom to his bowlers, and lets you adjust the fields. He is quite patient as well, and I have really enjoyed playing under him."

Going into the auction after having spent so much time with KXIP, Akshar was quite uncertain of his future. "I was sceptical at first because I had spent five years at the Punjab franchise and I didn’t know what my future held," he said. "But I was following the auction and when I was picked up by Delhi Capitals (for Rs 50 lakh), I was really excited because the team had so many players I had played with before."

"It was a bit different in the first couple days when I joined the pre-season camp, but it took me no time to adjust into the team due to the mood in the squad."

Apart from going at an economy rate of less than 8 (7.13) and picking up 10 wickets, Akshar also scored 110 runs at a strike-rate of 125.00 last season. 

Delhi reached the play-offs after seven years and even defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the eliminator, before going down to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second qualifier in Visakhapatnam. 

"I feel when you’re winning, the feeling is really different and the confidence is high," Akshar said. "We had a great combination in our team, and the team environment was such that it brought out the best in all of us. When you have a great environment, then you end up playing great cricket also."

"Making it to the play-offs in my first season with the franchise was great and it made for a good start for me here."

(Inputs from Gulf News)