Axar Patel acknowledged that Rishabh Pant was upset about his suspension for the vital IPL 2024 game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday. Patel’s remarks were made during the toss in Bengaluru, highlighting the significance of the match for both teams’ playoff hopes.
The Capitals faced a setback when Pant received a one-match suspension due to the team’s third over-rate violation of the season, accompanied by a fine of ₹30 lakh. Despite the Capitals’ management appealing against the decision, they were unsuccessful.
Winning the toss, Patel, the spin-bowling all-rounder, chose to bowl first, noting the favourable chasing conditions at the Chinnaswamy ground.
“Will bowl first. Bangalore wicket is always good. It’s a chasing ground. When we start well, we dominate the game. Rishabh was angry, and had appealed as well against the suspension. He’s at the ground here, motivating the team. Kushagra comes in for Rishabh. Rasikh Dhar is in.”
In their first encounter of IPL 2024, the two teams are meeting, with the Royal Challengers maintaining their lineup unchanged following four consecutive wins.
“Understands the game really well” – Ricky Ponting comments on Axar Patel
Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting expressed his admiration for Axar Patel, highlighting his wealth of experience in both IPL and international cricket, which he believes will be crucial in his role as captain. Ponting shared his thoughts with reporters on Saturday.
“He (Axar) has been vice-captain at this franchise for the last couple of seasons. A very experienced IPL player, an experienced international player, a sensible guy, understands the game really well.”
“He’s excited about it. We started talking about it a couple of days ago when there was a possibility that Rishabh might be banned. He’s got his head around it.”
Neither the Capitals nor the Royal Challengers have secured an IPL trophy to date.
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