Back from injury: Bowler Axar Patel makes immediate impact for DC in LSG win-OxBig News Network

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel played a key but underrated role in his team’s 8-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 on April 22. Both his impactful bowling and sharp decision-making stood out on the day.

Axar raised eyebrows when he opened the bowling himself after winning the toss—a bold move, made bolder when he later revealed he was coming off an injury layoff. Speaking at the post-match presentation, the DC skipper shared that he hadn’t bowled much in the tournament due to injury issues, but felt ready to step up for the clash against LSG.

IPL 2025, LSG vs DC: Highlights

“I have a slight injury which is why I haven’t been bowling much so far and today I felt in good rhythm and bowled up front. I was also looking at the match-ups (whenever I made a bowling change) and that is how I rotated my bowlers and all of them responded very well,” Axar said.

He bowled two overs in the powerplay and completed his spell within the first seven overs of the innings. The tactic worked well against LSG openers Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh, both of whom are known to struggle against spin. With Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, and Dushmanta Chameera each getting only one over early on, Axar’s control allowed DC to hold back Kuldeep Yadav and other pace options until after the 10th over. That strategy contributed heavily to the LSG collapse—from 87/1 after 10 overs to 159/6 at the end of the innings.

But Axar’s contribution didn’t end there. Coming in at number four during DC’s chase—after the dismissal of an in-form Abhishek Porel—Axar partnered with KL Rahul to steady the innings. The duo guided DC to a clinical win, bringing them level on points with table-toppers Gujarat Titans and completing a season double over LSG.