Rajkot: Axar Patel took four wickets in five balls that helped Kings XI Punjab beat Gujarat Lions by 23 runs in IPL match at Rajkot on Sunday. Terming this to be an important victory for KXIP, Patel said his team needed a breakthrough and this win had uplifted the team’s morale.

Speaking to www.iplt20.com, Patel said, “All of us felt that we needed just one win to get going. Now, there is confidence within the team. The bowlers are executing their plans and the batting group too is looking confident.”

Terming it to be his best bowling performance, he said, “I was just trying to do what I did in IPL-7. I was focusing on bowling in the right areas as that is something that had worked for me earlier. I had never taken a hat-trick in my career before, so it feels really special that I got the milestone at this level. The fact that we won the game and my efforts have resulted in a win makes it even more special.”

Axar Patel said getting Dwayne Smith’s wicket was very important as he had been in terrific form with Brendon McCullum. “I was worried that if he gets going, it would put us in trouble.”