Cheteshwar Pujara tells Axar Patel to ditch ‘normal batter’ approach after PBKS heroics: ‘Defence not his strength’

Cheteshwar Pujara praised Axar's aggressive approach vs PBKS, saying the Delhi Capitals skipper looked far more effective when playing to his natural strengths.

Updated on: May 12, 2026, 12:15:51 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Delhi Capitals stayed in the hunt for an IPL playoff spot after edging past Punjab Kings by three wickets in a tense run chase at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday. Chasing in a high-scoring encounter, DC held their nerve in the closing stages to secure an important victory and move to 10 points. The result helped them climb to seventh place on the points table, with Kolkata Knight Riders slipping below them. Despite the win, Delhi still face an uphill task in the race for the playoffs. Their remaining matches have now become must-win encounters, and they will also need favourable results from other teams to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive heading into the final stretch of the league stage.

Delhi Capitals' captain Axar Patel scored 56 off just 30 balls vs PBKS. (PTI)

One of the biggest positives for Delhi Capitals in the must-win clash against Punjab Kings was captain Axar Patel returning to form with the bat. Under pressure after a string of quiet outings and questions over his approach, Axar answered in style during the steep 211-run chase. The all-rounder played with a positive intent, scoring 56 off just 30 balls, striking at 186.67, and keeping Delhi in the contest during a crucial phase of the innings. It was also his first half-century of the season.

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara praised Axar's aggressive approach, saying the Delhi Capitals skipper looked far more effective when playing to his natural strengths. Pujara pointed out that Axar’s success has always come from attacking cricket and felt his intent in the latest innings was much closer to the role that suits him best.

"The way Axar approached his batting in this innings was perfect. He is a batter who has to play aggressively. He can't play like a normal batter. He is a hard hitter, and that's how he has scored his runs throughout his career. But this season, his intent has been to rotate strike and try to play like a batter who gets set and then attacks," Pujara said on Star Sports.

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"Axar has potential to take on spinners and seamers both"

Continuing his assessment of Axar's batting, Pujara stressed that the Delhi Capitals captain is at his best when he attacks from the outset rather than trying to settle in.

"He used to come at No.5 mainly to take on the spinners. And he has the potential to take on the seamers as well. That's why he has to play aggressively anytime he walks in to bat. When he tries to rotate the strike and is tentative, that's when he gets out. Defence is not his strength," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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