Shreyas Iyer helped me adjust in Delhi Capitals smoothly: Axar Patel

Delhi Capitals spinner Axar Patel has credited skipper Shreyas Iyer for helping him adjust to his new IPL team smoothly after spending half-a-decade with Kings XI Punjab. 26-year-old was picked up by Delhi Capitals in IPL 2019 Auction for Rs five crore and picked up 10 wickets apart from scoring 110 runs in his first season. "I've played with Shreyas at India A also, and when I came to Delhi Capitals, it was really easy for me because we bond really well," he said while speaking on franchise's official Instagram handle during a live session.  "On field, he gives freedom to his bowlers, and lets you adjust fields. He is quite patient as well, and I have really enjoyed playing under him."

'Shreyas Iyer helped me adjust smoothly'

Patel said he was worried about his future at time of auction. 

"I was sceptical at first because I had spent five years at Punjab franchise, and I didn't kw where my future would lie. But when I was picked up by Delhi Capitals, I was really excited because team had so many players I had played with before. 

"It was a bit different in first couple days when I joined pre-season camp, but it took me time to adjust into team due to mood in squad," he said.

Reflecting on his first season with franchise, Patel said, "I feel when you're winning, feeling is really different and confidence is high.  "We had a great combination in our team, and team environment was such that it brought out best in all of us. Making it to play-offs in my first season with franchise was great." Head Coach Ricky Ponting would reward a top-performing player with an exclusive badge and Patel said he won it a number of times. "Ricky would give a separate Man of Match Award in dressing room for someone who used to contribute to team. I ended up winning it five times, and it ended up being a good recognition for me personally, and it felt good to have contributed to team's victories," he said.

Im credits: Twitter