Follow UsAxar Patel has been the most successful captain at the end of the first 32 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His team, Delhi Capitals (DC), have won five of their first six matches and if not for the goof up in the late order against Mumbai Indians, they would have had a perfect record of six in six.
So what’s the secret to his success? After all, he is captaining a team in the IPL for the first time in a regular skipper’s facility. The answer to that lies in not following a set template.
"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,” Axar said in the post-match presentation after his team’s Super Over win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 16 (Wednesday).
“I back myself. I listen to everyone, but I back myself for the decisions I am making,” he added.
However, Axar was quick to correct himself on the template thing, saying that he does follow his instincts, but not by ignoring the planning.
"There is a lot of planning in the background. That is important for my awareness, and it's very useful at times,” said the 31-year-old.
The image of Axar is that of a jovial guy, and this is evident in his post-match presentation ceremony, where he answers with all his wittiness. But as a captain, Axar says that he draws the line between fun and winning games.
"I want to keep the team environment friendly and lively, but no one should take things for granted,” he said.
"I want to keep the team environment friendly and lively, but no one should take things for granted. But players should think that the captain is only having fun. There is a line.”
“What needs to be done to win the game will have to be done first. Outside the ground, you have a lot of fun. I don’t mind that,” added the captain, saying he never lets go of an opportunity to do what he enjoys doing, and captaincy is one such thing.