IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals (DC) vice-captain Axar Patel hit a stunning one-handed six off Gujarat Titans (GT) Mohammed Shami with Rishabh Pant sitting in the stands at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday.
On the first ball of the last over from Shami, Axar latched on to a short and wide delivery to hammer it over long-on. The shot immediately reminded fans of DC's regular captain Pant who has often been seen hitting one-handed sixes.
Interestingly, Pant, who is recovering from his injuries following the fatal car crash in December, was in the stands witnessing the DC vs GT encounter. The 25-year-old was seen standing with the support of crutches and was accompanied by Delhi Capitals owner and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.
Axar Patel's six against Shami must have reminded Rishabh Pant of his six as Axar hit this six in Rishabh Pant's hitting style,a one handed six .Pant who is in attendence , would be proud on Axar Patel.#DCvGT. #GTvsDC pic.twitter.com/MsEoq3gnAS
— Usman Shaikh (@shaikhusman_7) April 4, 2023
What a stunning six from Axar Patel with just one hand! Rishabh Pant would definitely be proud!
— Shivani Shukla (@iShivani_Shukla) April 4, 2023
Axar arrived in the middle with Delhi reeling on 101/5 in 12.2 overs. He immediately took charge and smashed a four on the second delivery he faced from Rashid Khan. On the final ball of the fifteenth over, the southpaw hit a gigantic six over long on off the star leg-spinner. The 29-year-old also hit a four and six off left-arm pacers Alzarri Josepth and Joshua Little respectively.
Axar's 36 off 22 helped Delhi post 162/8 in 20 overs. He has scored 31*(20), 65(31), 21*(9), 16(11) and 36(22) in T20 cricket in 2023.
Earlier, defending champions Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first. Prithvi Shaw (7) and Mitchell Marsh (4) failed to get going once again. David Warner and Sarfaraz Khan scored 37 and 30 runs respectively for the hosts.