IPL 2020: WATCH- Akshar Patel reveals he’s learning carrom ball to avoid getting hit for sixes

Akshar Patel picked 2/18 against RCB as DC won the game by 59 runs.

Akshar Patel picked 2/18 in 4 overs | TwitterDelhi Capitals’ (DC) left-arm spinner Akshar Patel was the toast of their victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing IPL 2020. Brought into the team in place of injured Amit Mishra, Patel bowled brilliantly, despite being asked to do so in the power play.

He ended up with figures of 2/18 in his four overs, helping Kagiso Rabada (4/24) and Anrich Nortje (2/22) decimate RCB batting line-up as they chased the 197-run target in Dubai. Akshar picked the wickets of Finch and Ali.

Talking to teammate R Ashwin in a video posted on IPL’s Twitter account, Akshar revealed that he is developing a carom ball in order to have some variety when the batsmen look to hit him for sixes.

IPL 2020: WATCH- Shreyas Iyer's cheeky mistranslation for Akshar Patel in post-match presentation

"I took inspiration from you (Ashwin). I am also trying to bowl carrom balls, I thought of stopping a bit and then delivering the ball. It gave me time to see what Finch was doing, the ball spun a bit and as a result, I was able to dismiss him. When I get hit for two-three sixes, I can look to bowl the carrom ball as the batsmen will be thinking that I would bowl a quicker one," Akshar told Ashwin.

Akshar also felt it was easy for left-arm spinners to bowl in Dubai, as the ground dimensions favor them.

"It was a bit easy for the left-arm bowlers as one side of the ground was big when the left-handers were batting. I was able to bowl it slow and mix it up. In the powerplays, when we were batting, our batters told me that the ball is stopping a bit. When I came on to bowl in the powerplay, my second ball turned a bit, so I thought let's be attacking. I was able to vary the pace as the wicket was offering something for me," Patel said.

IPL 2020: Anrich Nortje terms Akshar Patel as an "awesome bowler" after DC's big win over CSK

The spinner was dropped for the side's last game against Kolkata Knight Riders, but Akshar said that he doesn’t mind sitting on the bench if the team wins.

"I was prepared to be dropped. Coach Ricky Ponting had come to me first and he explained to me the reasons for leaving me out. The reasons were valid for me sitting out against KKR. I just wanted the team to win," Patel said.

Delhi has gone to the top of the table with four victories and eight points from five matches.

(ANI inputs)

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 06 Oct, 2020

    Share Via