Axar Patel may have had to bide his time under the shadow of Ravindra Jadeja for a long time but slowly and surely, he is blooming.
Not just another back-up
Axar Patel has been looked as the backup spinner to Ravindra Jadeja for the longest time. That both belong to the same state and bowl a similar kind of left arm spin does not help his cause.
However, people are beginning to realise that Axar Patel is a player of great ability -- something that led him to be retained by Delhi Capitals before the mega IPL auctions.
Patel is also beginning to play more and more test cricket and is gradually showing one and all that he can not only do wonders with the ball but is an exceptional talent with the bat as well.
The journey
When Patel began his journey, he was criticised for not giving the ball enough air and bowling flat. The left arm spinner himself expresses how he transformed himself into the player he has become.
"Jaddu and I didn't flight the ball much and the critics slammed us saying we bowled only one type of delivery. That was the toughest phase for me. Even my friends and people from my academies kept telling me I know nothing other than bowling flat. I was criticised whenever I had an off day. I heard a lot of taunts. Then I analysed myself and felt that nobody likes the way I bowl and yet I played for India and did well in the IPL. That meant there's something special about me"
"I got selected because I was different from other left-arm spinners. Then I decided to not pay heed to others' opinions and stuck with what I did. Then I brought about variations in pace and I got success. I am skillful enough to land the ball on the right spot even if you wake me up at three in the morning. People fail after making the grade because they stop backing their strengths and try to develop every skill."
Holding on to the DC spot
Axar Patel is a vital cog for Delhi Capitals in the IPL who already had Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin in the side. There was great competition for spots but Axar ensured that he held on to his spot in the playing XI.
His performances in his short test career have also impressed one and all and the future is very bright for the left arm spinner.
