Delhi Capitals (DC) spinner Akshar Patel said that he was confident of bowling super over against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during IPL 2021 because the Chennai pitch was assisting the spinner.
The initial phase of the IPL 14 didn’t do any good to Akshar Patel. The left-arm spinner had tested positive for COVID-19 before the tournament started and missed the first four matches for DC.
Returning to the playing XI in DC’s fifth encounter against SRH, Akshar Patel stole the show by bowling a brilliant super over against two powerhouses of SRH’s batting lineup - Kane Williamson and David Warner- and conceded only 7 runs.
In an interaction with India TV, Akshar Patel narrated how the events unfolded before the super over. The spinner recalled how he was expecting him or R Ashwin to get the chance to bowl but the team was leaning towards Avesh Khan.
He further said that seeing this, he went to Rishabh Pant and convinced him to give him the over.
“Because the pitch was aiding spinners, I thought I or Ashwin would be bowling the Super Over. But then I saw the think tank gathered around Avesh Khan. When I asked (Steve) Smith, he told me that Avesh will bowl the Super Over.
“I was confident that I could do better than Avesh under the conditions. I then went up to Rishabh (Pant) and said that I can bowl the Super Over without conceding many runs. Pant consulted coach Ricky (Ponting), and he gave the captain the freedom to take the final call,” Akshar Patel told India TV.
IPL 2021: Akshar Patel says he volunteered to bowl Super-Over against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Patel admitted that his heartbeat did increase but his confidence and mental strength and he know that he could either become a hero or a zero.
“I knew I could either become a hero or a zero. For a few moments, my heartbeat did increase. But I had the confidence and mental strength to pull me through,” he said.
Talking about his battle with COVID-19, Patel said that he was worried that the virus would affect his rhythm and how his body will respond after the battle.
“Many thoughts were going through my mind. I was in good form and then suddenly this COVID thing happened. I was also worried if COVID would affect my rhythm and how my body would respond after the battle with the virus,” said Akshar Patel.
Akshar Patel further said that his recovery was put to test when he bowled super over against SRH. He remarked that after that he became more confident and his rhythm was intact.
“In the first match itself, my COVID recovery was put to test, as I bowled the Super Over against Sunrisers Hyderabad. After that, I became more confident as my rhythm was intact,” he concluded.
Akshar Patel will next be seen in action when Team India takes on New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final and then England in the five-Test series.
(India TV inputs)
