Tough to replicate Team India culture in IPL team, says Axar Patel

NEW DELHI : Allrounder Axar Patel, who is getting ready for his second season as Delhi Capitals captain, says it’s unfair to expect Team India’s “culture” to be replicated in franchise colours.

“Honestly, you can’t expect the same culture in a franchise team. There are overseas players coming in. The players are different and have different roles. Sometimes an overseas player doesn’t get his preferred playing position. You have to keep every player in mind,” Axar said at the season-opening media briefing of the Delhi Capitals here on Monday.



“I’d like my Capitals team to be as flexible as our Indian team. In the Indian team, we know we have to be flexible in our roles according to the situation. We are comfortable doing it,” Axar said.

‘India can dominate if we can keep changing tactics as per the demands of the game’
Axar also chose to downplay world champions India’s dominance in T20I cricket. “I don’t believe in the tag of the greatest T20 team ever. It is all about time and era. If a team’s combination is set, they can do wonders. The process started before 2024. It all started in 2022,” Axar said.

“We started playing this brand of cricket and took some tough calls. If this Indian team wants to dominate, we have to continue playing a fearless brand of cricket, changing as per the requirements of the game.”

‘Don’t like Impact Player concept’
Axar was blunt when expressing his displeasure over the ‘Impact Player’ concept. “I don’t like this rule as I’m an allrounder myself. Earlier, we used to pick allrounders for such roles. Now, team management goes with a particular batter or bowler. They don’t see the need for an allrounder,” he said.

KL Rahul to open for Capitals
The Capitals captain also declared KL Rahul will be opening the innings. Capitals didn’t have a settled opening pair last season with Jake FraserMcGurk enduring a horrible season and Rahul opting to play down the order. However, Rahul ended the tournament as an opener. “Oppositions look to expose overseas batters with spin bowling in the middle overs. That’s why Rahul was batting in the middle order last season. But we had to adjust when the openers started to struggle and sent him where he has batted the best throughout his career. This season, he will start by opening the batting,” Axar said.

Starc waiting for NOC from Cricket Australia
Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani and director of cricket Venugopal Rao said star pace bowler Mitchell Starc was still waiting for his NoObjection Certificate from Cricket Australia. “Unless Cricket Australia declares that he is fit to play, there is little a franchise can do,” Badani said. “Starc is coming. Only waiting for the clearance from CA,” Rao said.



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