Axar Patel, who has been playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2023, has been shuffled around in the batting line-up quite a bit. Despite being the most experienced Indian player in the team and the vice-captain, he has been given different positions to bat in each match, with no permanent place in the order.
He has scored 108 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 168.75, which is his highest since his debut in 2014. Axar has improved as a batter in recent times, which is evident from his form at the international level. However, it is frustrating to see Delhi Capitals not using him to his full potential. In a recent match, Axar smashed his maiden IPL fifty, scoring 54 runs off 25 balls, helping DC put up 172 on the board. When asked about his position in the batting order, Axar said that he is playing 10-12 overs regardless of his position in the order and is not complaining much. He added that Delhi Capitals have a lot of domestic batters who can play spin really well and his lower position in the order allows them to get some valuable match practice.
In 12 international matches this year, Axar has managed to score 444 runs in 13 innings, with an average of 63.82 and a strike rate of 74.12. He has scored four half-centuries, with his best score being 84. He was India's most consistent batter in this year's Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at home, scoring 264 runs in five innings at an average of 88.00 with three fifties. Axar believes that representing India in all three formats has given him a lot of confidence.
DC captain David Warner has praised Axar's form and believes that he should be batting in the top four positions. However, Axar believes that his lower position in the order is essential for the team's strategy and helps the domestic Indian batters to get valuable match practice.
