All-rounder Axar Patel has had a very good IPL season for the Delhi Capitals. Axar's strike-rate (142) has been third-best among batsmen who have played more than 10 games for Delhi Capitals in this tournament.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-string-of-injuries-to-lethal-pace-anrich-nortje-talks-about-ipl-2020-with-delhi-capitals-341651">From string of injuries to lethal pace: Nortje talks about IPL 2020 with DC</a>

The all-rounder's bowling record has been good this season. Patel has scalped eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.46. The rate has been the best in the Delhi Capitals side and third-best among bowlers in IPL 2020 behind Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar.

In an exclusive interview with DNA, Axar Patel talked about his form and how he has improved as a player.&nbsp;

"I don't believe I have made any major changes with my bowling in specific. However, I have learned a lot in this period from last season to this season. I think I have learned to back my strengths as much as possible. A couple of years back, I used to try a lot of things with my bowling and would always want to go overboard with variations and my pace, but now I'm more focused on sticking to the basics, rather than bringing variations which are out of my merits," Axar Patel said.

His average has been poor, but that is mostly because he comes to bat at no. 7. But has helped DC win a crucial match against CSK with the bat. He smashed three sixes in the final over of Ravindra Jadeja. Even in the first Qualifiers, Axar and Stoinis were the only notable contributors with the bat after the Capitals lost first three batsmen for a duck.

"I'm an all-rounder who comes to bat lower down the order but I don't think I've ever neglected my batting. I have always been a team player who is ready to take on any role which my team wants me to play, both with the bat and the bowl. Whenever I get the chance to bat, I try to do the best for my team. I have always enjoyed batting and if you see, I've been able to play some crucial knocks over the years both domestically and internationally and I just intend to keep doing that. I want to always keep improving in all aspects of my game, and batting is certainly something I focus on. You could see that when we faced Mumbai the other day in Qualifier 1 - Stoin (Marcus Stoinis) and I were striking the ball well, but unfortunately we couldn't be successful," Axar Patel said.

Delhi Capitals is set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.&nbsp;

All-rounder Axar Patel has had a very good IPL season for the Delhi Capitals. Axar's strike-rate (142) has been third-best among batsmen who have played more than 10 games for Delhi Capitals in this tournament.

All-rounder Axar Patel has had a very good IPL season for the Delhi Capitals. Axar's strike-rate (142) has been third-best among batsmen who have played more than 10 games for Delhi Capitals in this tournament. Also read: From string of injuries to lethal pace: Nortje talks about IPL 2020 with DC The all-rounder's bowling record has been good this season. Patel has scalped eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.46. The rate has been the best in the Delhi Capitals side and third-best among bowlers in IPL 2020 behind Rashid Khan and Washington Sundar. In an exclusive interview with DNA, Axar Patel talked about his form and how he has improved as a player. "I don't believe I have made any major changes with my bowling in specific. However, I have learned a lot in this period from last season to this season. I think I have learned to back my strengths as much as possible. A couple of years back, I used to try a lot of things with my bowling and would always want to go overboard with variations and my pace, but now I'm more focused on sticking to the basics, rather than bringing variations which are out of my merits," Axar Patel said. His average has been poor, but that is mostly because he comes to bat at no. 7. But has helped DC win a crucial match against CSK with the bat. He smashed three sixes in the final over of Ravindra Jadeja. Even in the first Qualifiers, Axar and Stoinis were the only notable contributors with the bat after the Capitals lost first three batsmen for a duck. "I'm an all-rounder who comes to bat lower down the order but I don't think I've ever neglected my batting. I have always been a team player who is ready to take on any role which my team wants me to play, both with the bat and the bowl. Whenever I get the chance to bat, I try to do the best for my team. I have always enjoyed batting and if you see, I've been able to play some crucial knocks over the years both domestically and internationally and I just intend to keep doing that. I want to always keep improving in all aspects of my game, and batting is certainly something I focus on. You could see that when we faced Mumbai the other day in Qualifier 1 - Stoin (Marcus Stoinis) and I were striking the ball well, but unfortunately we couldn't be successful," Axar Patel said. Delhi Capitals is set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2.

'I have learned a lot': Axar Patel on playing crucial role for Delhi Capitals this season

Ahead of the much-awaited <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/ipl">Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020</a>, many experts and pundits have named Delhi Capitals (DC) as one of the favourites to win the tournament or at least qualify for the playoffs. Commenting on DC’s chances in IPL 2020, all-rounder Axar Patel has said with top quality new recruitments, the franchise has ticked all the boxes and are well capable of going all the way in the tournament, set to commence on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).&nbsp;

Delhi Capitals have added the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey among others to their ranks and are looking pretty solid on paper. However, they would need to better their performances from last year in a bid to end the trophy drought.&nbsp;

"With the new changes, I think the squad looks good. With fast bowlers, spinners and all-rounders, we have covered all the bases and I think we can become champions this time. Everyone looks positive in the nets and we all are in good shape,” Axar Patel said on Tuesday.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2020-who-are-the-favourites-in-mi-vs-csk-opener-gautam-gambhir-opines-327724" hreflang="en">IPL 2020: Who are the favourites in MI vs CSK opener? Gautam Gambhir opines</a>

The 26-year-old further lamented the lack of crowds during the IPL as he said players will feel empty without the supporters in the stands.

"Obviously, with no crowd, we'll feel empty. Then, the saliva ban is going to make a big difference for the bowlers. During initial practice sessions, I was being conscious of not using saliva or sweat on the ball. So, these are the challenges which we will have to be wary of," he said.

"Nevertheless, the positive thing is that at least we will have action-packed cricket after a long time, which is a good thing for not only us, but also for India. Everyone will enjoy the game with a different frame of mind which will be really exciting," he said.

According to BCCI’s SOP, players and support staff will be tested every five days during the course of the tournament.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ipl-2020-top-5-all-rounders-to-watchout-for-327567" hreflang="en">IPL 2020: Top 5 all-rounders to watchout for!</a>

"We are feeling a little bad that we can't enjoy the matches with our friends. After every two days, tests are being conducted. We can't go out anywhere and we can't sit for more than 15 minutes in anyone's room, so these things are challenging, but slowly we are getting used to it," he added.

Speaking on how he is preparing for the first match against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, Axar said, "First of all, it feels really good to be back playing on the ground after being off from cricket for a long time due to lockdown," he said.

"Since we are in the tournament week, it feels really good and the boys are in a positive frame. I feel I am practicing with a positive mindset. I have ticked all the boxes in bowling, batting and fielding, so I think I have prepared well enough," he concluded.

Ahead of the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, many experts and pundits have named Delhi Capitals (DC) as one of the favourites to win the tournament or at least qualify for the playoffs.

Ahead of the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, many experts and pundits have named Delhi Capitals (DC) as one of the favourites to win the tournament or at least qualify for the playoffs. Commenting on DC’s chances in IPL 2020, all-rounder Axar Patel has said with top quality new recruitments, the franchise has ticked all the boxes and are well capable of going all the way in the tournament, set to commence on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Delhi Capitals have added the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey among others to their ranks and are looking pretty solid on paper. However, they would need to better their performances from last year in a bid to end the trophy drought. "With the new changes, I think the squad looks good. With fast bowlers, spinners and all-rounders, we have covered all the bases and I think we can become champions this time. Everyone looks positive in the nets and we all are in good shape,” Axar Patel said on Tuesday. ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Who are the favourites in MI vs CSK opener? Gautam Gambhir opines The 26-year-old further lamented the lack of crowds during the IPL as he said players will feel empty without the supporters in the stands. "Obviously, with no crowd, we'll feel empty. Then, the saliva ban is going to make a big difference for the bowlers. During initial practice sessions, I was being conscious of not using saliva or sweat on the ball. So, these are the challenges which we will have to be wary of," he said. "Nevertheless, the positive thing is that at least we will have action-packed cricket after a long time, which is a good thing for not only us, but also for India. Everyone will enjoy the game with a different frame of mind which will be really exciting," he said. According to BCCI’s SOP, players and support staff will be tested every five days during the course of the tournament. IN PICS | IPL 2020: Top 5 all-rounders to watchout for! "We are feeling a little bad that we can't enjoy the matches with our friends. After every two days, tests are being conducted. We can't go out anywhere and we can't sit for more than 15 minutes in anyone's room, so these things are challenging, but slowly we are getting used to it," he added. Speaking on how he is preparing for the first match against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday, Axar said, "First of all, it feels really good to be back playing on the ground after being off from cricket for a long time due to lockdown," he said. "Since we are in the tournament week, it feels really good and the boys are in a positive frame. I feel I am practicing with a positive mindset. I have ticked all the boxes in bowling, batting and fielding, so I think I have prepared well enough," he concluded.

IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals can become champions this time, reckons Axar Patel

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'I have learned a lot': Axar Patel on playing crucial role for Delhi Capitals this season

IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals can become champions this time, reckons Axar Patel