Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra believes Axar Patel dismissing Liam Livingstone was the game-changing moment in the 32nd match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, which was played at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday. Livingstone has been Punjab Kings’ best batter in the ongoing season as he had scored 224 runs in six matches before their clash against Delhi Capitals.
The Englishman had scored his runs at a strike rate of 182.26 and had taken the game away from the opposition with his blistering batting in the previous matches. However, the right-hander was stumped by Rishabh Pant after Axar Patel dropped the ball short.
Subsequently, Patel also plumbed Jitesh Sharma in front of the wickets. Thus, the orthodox left-arm spinner scalped two wickets and conceded only 10 runs in his quota of four overs, to bowl a fine spell.
While reviewing the match, Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “You can put many different players’ names in that – everyone took two wickets apiece. You can put the names of Khaleel, Kuldeep, Lalit Yadav, or Axar Patel, any of the bowlers. Actually, I am going with Axar Patel for the simple reason that he dismissed Liam Livingstone. I think that was the game-changing moment.”
The renowned commentator reckons the match became one-sided after Livingstone’s dismissal. PBKS were bundled out for a paltry score of 115 runs.
“The wickets had started falling – Shikhar had gotten out, Mayank also got out, Jonny Bairstow also got out. But when Livingstone gets out, there is not much fight left in the match, it becomes one-sided suddenly. The way he (Axar) left Liam Livingstone stranded halfway down the pitch, it was a ball to watch.”
As Patel conceded only 10 runs in his four overs, Chopra added that the left-arm spinner did a fine job for DC as his spell made all the difference.
“He (Axar) bowled an extremely tight line, he was both economical and wicket-taking, not one but he picked up two wickets. He bowled at different stages. If we see the start of the tournament, Axar was going wicketless, but he picked up a wicket in the last match and took wickets here as well.”
DC will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Friday.
