Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel said he isn’t a fan of the Impact Player rule, which he believes limits all-rounders’ contributions. Speaking ahead of IPL 2026, he shared his role throughout the team, clarifying that the Impact Player rule was not the rationale he bowled limited-overs last 12 months.
“I don’t like this rule, truthfully, because I’m an all-rounder (laughs),” Axar said when he was asked in regards to the rule, which has been implimented since IPL 2023. “Earlier, you’ll pick an allrounder for batting and bowling. For this reason rule, the team management goes for a selected batsman or bowler, pondering ‘Why do we want an allrounder?’ Since I’m an allrounder, I don’t just like the rule. At the identical time, rules are rules and we want to follow them. From a private viewpoint though, I don’t just like the rule.”
Nevertheless, Delhi Capitals couldn’t reach the highest 4 in IPL 2025, with Axar Patel facing a poor season with the ball. He also bowled the fewest variety of overs in a season since 2018 (34), scalping just five wickets at 57.60, his worst average in seven years as well.
“The 2025 Champions Trophy was right before the IPL. During CT, my spinning finger sustained a cut: once I was bowling, due to the seam of the ball, it kept getting cut further. It became a deep cut. Due to that, I couldn’t put pressure and rotation on the ball. I used to be bowling less due to that. I used to be pondering of bowling only wherever needed and saving my finger. After seven matches, when my finger healed, I resumed bowling. It was not due to the Impact Player rule,” he added.
“I’m prepared for each role” – Axar Patel
While his bowling is his primary option, Axar Patel’s batting has improved lots within the T20s. This skill has allowed him to play in several roles, each for India and within the IPL. In T20Is, he has batted in every single place from No.3 to No.9 as well.
“You’ve seen me be the identical for therefore a few years: regardless of the team requires, I do this. That’s why the tag of crisis-man has come up. I take up the role as per the team’s requirement, be it a finisher or a middle-order batter,” he shared.
“We keep discussing: if an individual is scoring 4 in two, or twelve in two, or 80 runs as an opener: all those roles are necessary for the team. I go along with the identical mindset many times: whatever must be done, I’ll play that role. Because in the event you don’t get what you would like, you’ll only get offended and dissatisfied. And the identical thing will affect your game,” he said.
“That’s why I keep the team’s priorities on the forefront. When you’re open to that, you give your 100%. You’re not readying your mind for one particular position. I’m prepared for each role. I’m fit to try this. Should you don’t think that way, you’re limiting yourself. And in the event you don’t get what you would like, you are feeling down and don’t give your 100%,” Axar Patel concluded.
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