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I Got Selected Because I Was Different Axar Opens Up About His Career Progression

‘I got selected because I was different’, Axar opens up about his career progression

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who made his international debut in 2014 and is now one o the top-rated spinners in the country said that his ability to retain his uniqueness and while being different from other spinners helped him get the national cal up so early.

In an interview with The Times of India, Axar talked about various aspects of his bowling and key elements that he added to improve his skills. He said that he has been working on his pace variations and has also worked to improve his batting.

When asked about the preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Axar said, “The World Cup is definitely in the back of our minds but we haven’t spoken much about it. The IPL playoffs are the best preparation because, in IPL, most of your rivals in the World Cup will be there. We know that we will be putting pressure on ourselves if we obsess about planning for the World Cup.”

He also talked about dealing with the negativities and handling the critics when things are not going good on the field.

“I was criticized whenever I had an off day. I heard a lot of taunts. Then I analysed myself and felt that nobody likes the way I bowl and yet I played for India. That meant there’s something special about me. I got selected because I was different from other left-arm spinners,” said the 27-year-old who has been in an amazing form for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.

Axar is part of the upcoming T20 World Cup that will start on October 17. India will be playing its first match against Pakistan on October 24th.

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ICC to introduce DRS for the first time in upcoming Men's World T20

The Decision Review System will be used for the first time in the T20 World Cup that is going to start on 17th of October as reported by ESPNcricinfo. The tournament that is scheduled to start in UAE and Oman will be using DRS as the governing body released the playing conditions for the World Cup. Each team will get two DRS per inning. The governing body had confirmed in June last year an additional unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a match across all formats, "keeping in mind that there may be less experienced umpires on duty at times" owing to Covid-19-related reasons. The ICC has also decided to increase the minimum number of overs for delayed and rain-interrupted matches. Earlier, the norm was that every team will be batting for a minimum of five overs to decide the result of the game by the DLS method. This will be followed in the matches of the group stage as well. But in the semifinals and the final, the minimum overs have been increased to ten. ICC women’s T20 world cup 2018 was the first T20 tournament that used the DRS system. Last edition of the T20 world cup was held in 2016 when West Indies defeated England in the final and went on to lift the trophy.

IPL 2021 | Qualifier 1 | DC vs CSK: Ricky Ponting urges Delhi Capitals to start afresh in playoffs

Delhi Capitals, the table toppers, have started their preparations for the first Qualifier against Chennai Super Kings. In a video released by the official Twitter handle of Delhi Capitals, coach Ricky Ponting can be seen talking about the pluses and minuses of the last game against RCB that resulted in RCB winning the game by 7 wickets. He also talked about the importance of a healthy environment and positive vibes. Ponting, who has been one of the most successful captains in the world, asked the team to be proud of themselves for achieving what they have so far. “To finish on the top of the table was something that we haven’t talked about yet. Everybody that is in the room has been a part of what we have done so far in the tournament. You should be proud of yourself,” said Ponting in an address to the team in the changing room. “It has been exceptional to this point. But I am really keen to make sure our tournament starts Sunday,” he added. Following the dressing room culture, Ponting also awarded four change room’s ‘men of the match that also included one to the baggage master. Delhi Capitals won 10 out of their 14 league games and will be facing experienced CSK on 10th October.

Harmanpreet calls for women’s IPL to improve players' performances in pressure situation

India Women's T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has echoed the need for a women's Indian Premier League, supporting her teammates Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodriguez, who have already reasoned for the biggest cricket league's women's edition. Harmanpreet gave an example of how Australian Women's players are already benefitting from something like the Women's Big Bash League. "If you look at the way Tahlia McGrath batted today, we can see the confidence they are getting from a tournament like WBBL. They are ready to play international cricket. She has not played much in international cricket but got to play many matches before playing for Australia," Kaur said in the post-match presser. As many as eight Indian players are part of WBBL this season with Poonam Yadav being the latest joined, signing up for Brisbane Heat on October 07. Harmanpreet said that these leagues help a player get exposure to the pressure situation and perform under it. “If we had women's IPL, the domestic players would get a lot of chances to prove themselves under pressure. I think that is the only reason we are lagging right now. Before getting to play in international, if we get a chance to play in a domestic tournament like IPL, we will definitely improve. In Australia, they get 20-30 matches in WBBL before getting to international cricket. It will develop your skills and give you experience so that you don't feel lost in international cricket," she added. India failed to defend 118 runs in 20 overs in the second T20I, even after getting Australia down to 46-4 in the first 10 overs at one stage. The third and final T20I is scheduled to be played on October 10.

Gautam Gambhir concedes past doubt about Faf du Plessis, but says right-hander exceeded expectations

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir showered praise on South African batter Faf du Plessis for his tremendous form in this IPL. Faf, who opens for CSK, has scored 546 runs in 14 matches with an outstanding average of 45.50. In a conversation with ESPNcricinfo Gambhir said, "I never thought he was that dangerous a T20 batter. Yes, he had got runs for CSK, but he's never had the impact someone like Shane Watson had. “He will score those 50 off 40 balls but he cannot hurt the opposition bowlers. He's not going to be an all-out match-winner. If Shane Watson gets runs, he'll get a 100 off 60 balls. So yeah, Faf has definitely exceeded all the expectations, not only of myself but of a lot of other people as well," he said. Gambhir also talked about Faf’s great form in Caribbean Premier League where he scored a magnificent century. “He was in good form even in the CPL. Those who are coming into the play after playing in some league have better chances to do well as IPL is a high-quality tournament. Runs under your belt is always important,” he said. CSK is going to play their first qualifier on 10th October against Delhi Capitals and they would want their star performer to continue his tremendous form.