IPL 2023: Ricky Ponting: Axar Patel – Ricky Ponting is in awe of Delhi Capitals all-rounder Axar Patel’s rise to becoming an all-format player. In the last six months, Axar has turned out to be a very good batter lower down the order and developed into a bankable all-rounder for India. The southpaw is also turning out to be a good leader for the Capitals in absence of Rishabh Pant. Ahead of the Capitals clash against the Royals, DC coach Ponting is impressed with of all-rounder and said, “Axar is a quick learner because he is a very thoughtful cricketer.” Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
“We have seen how much he has grown in the last couple of years. In the last 12 months, he has grown as a batter, and India have shown enough faith in him to bat up the order. He was also close to becoming captain. He was vice-captain to Rishabh Pant here for the last couple of years,” Ponting said to Times of India.
IPL 2023: Ponting feels David Warner’s experience as leader edged him ahead of Axar
Axar was not named captain after Pant was ruled out of the IPL 2023 owing to car crash. Warner became the captain of DC due to the leadership experience he had while captaining Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, Ponting feels it is about time Axar will become a captain for DC and India owing to the street smartness he possesses.
Apart from lavishing praise on Axar’s captaincy, Ponting believes the southpaw always had the ability to become a very good batter, and that he only made a few adjustments in the technique.
“I love to find technical areas where I can help players. I coached Axar when he was young. I first coached him when he was with MI, he was part of the squad. I knew he had batting talent. But if you look through the IPL, he didn’t produce as per his ability. Then you try to break down to player’s technique to find out why he hasn’t been successful. We made small changes. I really had to sit back and show him a few videos and replay the ones where I wanted him to change a few things. He is a quick learner because he is a thoughtful cricketer.”
Speaking about the Capitals, they have had a shaky start as they have lost two matches against LSG and GT. The Capitals will next take on the Royals on Saturday (April 8).
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