No fixed captaincy template being followed, says Axar Patel after thrilling Super Over win takes them atop the table.
No fixed template of captaincy or leadership is in Axar Patel’s mind as Delhi find themselves as table toppers again.
Axar Patel is the best player in the IPL 2025 if a captain is only as good as his performance.
In his debut season as a team captain in the tournament, he has guided the Delhi Capitals (DC) to five victories in six games thus far. More importantly, he has identified the appropriate individuals to perform the correct tasks for him when the chips are down. For instance, Mitchell Starc on Wednesday night. And Axar stated following the Super Over victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) that “trusting my instincts” was largely responsible for the outcome.
“I am having a lot of fun on the field and off the field. I am doing what I think is right. I am not following a template. I back myself. I am not too experienced [as a captain] but it’s not like I am turning to other people for help. Of course, I listen to everyone, but I back myself for the decisions I am making. Because you need to know what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. I am enjoying myself so far.”
While intuition and gut feelings are acceptable, T20 cricket has changed so much that what takes place in the meeting rooms—plans and data-driven tactics—often takes precedence over anything else.
“It’s not like I only go by my instincts,” Axar said. “There is a lot of planning in the background. That is important for my awareness, and it’s very useful at times. But it’s not like I have all the data in front of me and I am following it word for word – bowl this one against that batter and so on. It doesn’t work like that.
“Sometimes someone is in form. I see that as a captain, and I decide based on the match situation. Of course, sometimes instincts kick in. But I will take a call based on what I think is best for the team. I choose the option thinking what will work best. Am I taking a gamble? I go by what, in my mind, is 60-40 or 70-30 in my team’s favour. The data is important to know the opposition.”
“I can’t speak for other captains, but the way I see it, if I have made a mistake, what’s the problem with owning up to it,” he said. “But I won’t necessarily call it a mistake. If two left-hand batters are out there and you need to get an over out of the way, you take a tactical decision based on your resources. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t call it a mistake. It’s a decision that didn’t work. If it works, you get praised. If it doesn’t, you get criticised. I just do what I feel is right. There is no fixed template”