Kings XI Punjab all-rounder Axar Patel says his side's 19-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore was a huge confidence booster and they would look to carry on the momentum in the coming matches of the IPl.
"It was a huge confidence booster. Even in the last game, we bowled well. It was 68 then. Now again a low total. The momentum is with us now and it will show more in the coming matches," said Axar, whose all-round effort guided Kings XI Punjab to victory here Friday night.
Axar smashed his way to an unbeaten 38 off 17 balls as Kings XI Punjab managed 138 for 7 and then grabbed 3/11 in three overs as RCB were skittled out for 119 in 19 overs.
He said it was a slow wicket with low bounce at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and runs were coming if one played with a straight bat.
Axar was all praise of team-mate Sandeep Sharma who took 3/22, saying the pacer was not scared by big names.
"His (Sandeep's) mindset is simple, if the ball swings he shows his capabilities. He is not scared of big names in the opposition. He just bowls to his strengths," he said.
"His strength is that he can swing the ball, so he knows when he can get it to swing, it gets difficult for the batsmen. Take any format, when the ball swings, batsmen find it difficult."
On captain Glenn Maxwell's form, Axar said, "It is not true that he is not firing. In the middle, he has played few balls and finished games. Even against Mumbai Indians in Indore, he scored runs.
"In the last two games, maybe the runs have not come. Wicket also was helpful to the bowlers today. So that's why maybe he got out. It is not true that he's not able to score. He is confident and will do well," he said.