Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel played a key role in Delhi Capitals' (DC) victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Super-Over on Sunday (April 25).

Playing his first game after recovering from COVID-19, Akshar returned with the bowling figures of 2/26 in his four overs and then conceded only 7 runs in the one-over eliminator.

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After the game, Akshar revealed that he had volunteered to bowl the high-octane Super-Over against the seasoned duo of David Warner and Kane Williamson.

"When I was in the dressing room, I knew that the pitch would assist spinners," Akshar said of the Chepauk wicket while speaking in the virtual post-match press conference.

"When we went down, there were a lot of discussions. We thought initially that we could go with a pacer since they will be sending a left-right combination.

"After that, just when we were going to the ground, I thought, even a spinner could be effective. So I told Rishabh 'Even I can bowl, think about it'. So he spoke to [coach] Ricky [Ponting] and it was decided at the last moment that I will bowl."

The decision turned out to be effective as Akshar used his variations brilliantly.

Talking about his return to the playing XI, the 27-year-old said: "I was ready from my end. The team management asked me how I am feeling after [recovering from] Covid. You know your body better. I had done four sessions already.

"On Chennai's wicket, the ball has been coming slow and turning. I told the management that I'm match-fit. So they told me that if I'm ready, I will play straight away," he added.

Akshar Patel came into the IPL on the back of a terrific outing in his debut Test series against England as well as the limited-overs matches.

"I was bowling well even before Covid [illness] -- in the Tests as well as the T20s," he said. "I was carrying that confidence. I wasn't thinking too much about Covid... obviously, it was a frustrating phase."

(With PTI inputs)