IPL 2024: Axar Patel slams fifty on captaincy debut
Delhi Capitals lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 62 of IPL 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Capitals sans their regular skipper Rishabh Pant (suspended for a match) failed to chase 188, having perished for 140. However, Axar Patel led from the front with a pacy half-century. He became the second player with a 50-plus score for DC on captaincy debut.
DC lose despite Axar's exploits
Axar came to the middle after DC were in spot of bother at 30/4 in the fourth over. He kept the Capitals afloat despite losing Shai Hope and Tristan Stubbs before the 100-run mark. Axar single-handedly took DC past 120, but Yash Dayal ended his stay in the 16th over. The former smashed a 39-ball 57 (5 fours and 3 sixes).
Second player with this feat
As mentioned, Axar has become only the second player with a 50-plus score for DC on captaincy debut. According to Cricbuzz, Shreyas Iyer was the first player to reach this landmark. He smashed an unbeaten 93 against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2018 encounter in Delhi. DC, who were Delhi Daredevils back then, won that match by 55 runs.
A look at his IPL numbers
Axar, who made his IPL debut in 2014, now has 1,639 runs from 149 games at an average of 21.29. The one against RCB was his third half-century in the IPL. The left-arm spinner also has 122 wickets at 30.64 with an economy rate of 7.25. The tally includes a four-wicket haul. His best match haul of 4/21 came in 2016.
Over 950 IPL runs for DC
Axar has raced past 950 runs for DC in the IPL. Each of his three IPL fifties have come playing for the Capitals. Axar also tallied 686 runs from 68 IPL matches for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at 19.05.
