Axar Patel on Super Over Win vs Rajasthan Royals: Starc’s Brilliance, Team Composure, and Captaincy Joy

Axar Patel Praises Team Character After Delhi Capitals Clinch Super Over Thriller Against Rajasthan Royals

Summary
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel reflects on his team’s high-octane Super Over win against Rajasthan Royals, hailing Mitchell Starc’s death bowling brilliance, his own evolving leadership style, and the importance of team-first batting roles.

Axar Patel Reflects on Delhi Capitals' Super Over Heroics vs Rajasthan Royals

If there's one IPL 2025 match that fans will replay in their minds for weeks to come, it’s Delhi Capitals' edge-of-the-seat Super Over victory over Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. From pressure-packed moments to individual brilliance, the night had it all. And at the center of the post-match reflection stood Axar Patel, whose leadership once again came under the spotlight not just for strategy, but for serenity in the storm.

With Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals trending across platforms, this was no ordinary win. It was a character test, a captaincy class, and a confirmation that Delhi’s rise to the top of the table is no accident.

"I'm Enjoying My Role" Captain Axar Speaks on Leadership

Addressing the media after the match, Axar Patel was relaxed, cheeky, and characteristically grounded. Taking charge of Delhi this season has been a natural transition for the 31-year-old all-rounder, who’s been a leader within Gujarat cricket and various franchise systems for years.

“As a captain, I’m enjoying my role. I’ve done this before in state cricket. I know what needs to be done. When you get to run the team the way you believe in, that’s the best part,” he shared, encapsulating a leadership style that is calm but deeply tactical.

He credited his team for backing the plan, especially in pressure situations, pointing out how rare and rewarding it is to see players execute under the stress of a tied game and a Super Over.

Starc’s Reverse Swing: The Game-Changer

When it mattered most, Mitchell Starc turned up the heat with surgical accuracy. His spell at the death, particularly the final over of regulation and his Super Over display, was a masterclass in calm execution.

“Getting the reverse swing is one thing, but executing it under pressure is something else entirely,” Axar said. “We spoke about field placements in our team meetings. I just told him to back himself. He’s a legend of Australian cricket. He knows exactly what he’s doing at the death.”

Starc’s command over reverse swing and the field, aided by strategic placements and trust from his skipper, suffocated the Royals in the Super Over. In games like these, margins are small, and Delhi’s big match players stood tall.

Batting Roles and the Left-Right Balance

While Abhishek Porel laid the foundation with a composed 49 off 37, and Tristan Stubbs added his late-order fireworks with 34* off 18, it was Axar Patel’s own 34 off just 14 balls that provided the thrust Delhi needed in the final overs.

“I’ve been in good touch for about a year and a half,” Axar noted. “I bat according to what the team requires. Today, we were looking for that left-right balance, so I came in later. It’s all about adapting to what the team needs at that moment.”

That mindset, selfless and strategic, is a captain’s hallmark. Axar has embraced the challenge of managing match situations not just with the ball or bat, but with emotional intelligence something that sets top leaders apart in franchise cricket.

The Super Over: A Test of Nerves and Intent

“Aisi situation mein main hi kyun aage aajata hoon (Why do I always end up in these situations)?” Axar joked when asked about taking responsibility during crunch moments. But his light-heartedness masked the reality: he thrives on such pressure.

Sending in Stubbs and himself to bat the Super Over was a deliberate call. While Stubbs provided the big hit, Axar sealed the match with a calm boundary that sent the Delhi dugout into frenzy.

From a team strategy standpoint, it was a blueprint execution. The trust between the bowling unit and the captain, the timely runs, and sharp fielding, all culminated into a perfect storm of composure and confidence.

Top of the Table and Looking Ahead

With five wins in six matches, Delhi Capitals now sit atop the IPL 2025 points table with 10 points, ahead of title favorites like Chennai and Gujarat. What’s most impressive, however, is how the team has adapted match after match with new players stepping up, be it Abhishek Porel, Stubbs, or Starc.

Axar understands the need to stay grounded. With their next fixture coming against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, the Capitals will be tested again especially away from home. But with the bowling clicking and the top order adapting, Delhi look like one of the most balanced units in this year’s competition.