Axar Patel has been in the thick of action for Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing season of VIVO IPL. If not with the bat, he has claimed wickets, and on other occasions, he has contributed to dealing crucial blows to the opposition with his superb fielding skills. In the must-win game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, he plucked a brilliant catch to send back Robin Uthappa and then his accurate throw from the outfield helped run out Chris Lynn and tip the game in the KXIP’s favour. While his tight bowling helped plug the flow of runs and frustrate the opposition, Rahul Tewatia, playing his first game of the season, claimed the vital wickets of Gautam Gambhir and Uthappa to change the momentum in the team’s favour. The leg-spinner credited Axar for his inputs that helped set up his two wickets and finish with 2/18.

Axar, who also received an award for taking a brilliant catch, spoke with pride about his game-changing fielding performance. “That catch probably changed the game,” says Tewatia in reference to that catch. “We discuss in team meetings that fielding is also very important in changing momentum and today I did that with my fielding I think. So today I think I will get a lot of marks in the fielding department,” reflected Axar. In this exclusive for iplt20.com, the spin duo discuss their all-round performance that helped Kings XI Punjab defeat KKR and stay alive in the race for a spot in the playoffs.