Axar Patel, leading the Delhi Capitals (DC), sustained a hand injury during Tuesday night’s home clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Despite the injury, he managed to bat and score 43 runs off 23 balls, contributing in a chase of 205.
“I dragged my palm across the [practice] wicket,” Axar explained after DC’s defeat. “So my skin peeled off. Whenever I tried to hit the ball and the handle brushed [the hand], I felt a lot of pain but the good thing is we have a three-four day break. Then we play SRH. It would be great if it gets alright by then.”
The incident occurred in the 18th over while Axar was fielding at midwicket. A full-stretch dive to stop Rovman Powell’s shot resulted in Axar immediately leaving the pitch, attended to by Patrick Farhat, DC’s chief physiotherapist.
Faf du Plessis, the team’s vice-captain, filled in for Axar for the remaining 2.2 overs. KKR set a total of 204 for 9 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Axar had been DC’s standout bowler, giving away merely 27 runs in four overs and claiming the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer.
During the innings break, Axar was seen getting more treatment on his heavily taped hand, grimacing as he attempted shadow-drives. His batting form this season has been strong, amassing 232 runs at an average of 29.00 and a strike rate of 161.11.
Though hampered by the injury, Axar partnered with du Plessis to add 76 runs off 42 balls for the fourth wicket in DC’s pursuit. Earlier, before IPL, Axar suffered another injury to his left hand during the Champions Trophy, leaving him cautious in his bowling duties. Nevertheless, he completed his full bowling quota in DC’s recent matches.
As DC prepares to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on 5th May, they hold fourth place on the points table, marking a positive debut season for Axar as DC’s permanent captain.
