A day before their game against table-toppers Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab head coach Sanjay Bangar had asked for individual brilliance from his players. Axar Patel was not part of the press conference, but he followed his coach’s order to perfection with an impressive spell (4/21) that earned KXIP their second win of the season. Axar broke the back of Gujarat Lions’ batting line-up by taking four wickets in five balls, including the first hat-trick of VIVO IPL 2016. He struck thrice in his second over to send back Dwayne Smith (15), Dinesh Karthik and Dwayne Bravo as the home team slipped from 34-2 to 39 for 5. With Karthik and Bravo dismissed off fifth and sixth ball respectively, the left-arm spinner completed his hat-trick on the first ball of his third over when Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged caught behind. An elated Axar spoke about the team’s morale-boosting win and his milestone. Excerpts: Beating Gujarat Lions in their own den. This is an important victory for KXIP This was an important win for us. We needed a breakthrough. All of us felt that we needed just one win to get going. Now, our morale is up and there is confidence within the team. The bowlers are executing their plans and the batting group too is looking confident. You’ve taken the first hat-trick this season. Was this your best spell? This has been my best bowling performance. 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. Of the four wickets, do you feel Dwayne Smith’s was most crucial? Getting Dwayne Smith’s wicket was very important. He has been in terrific form with Brendon McCullum. I was worried that if he gets going like he did against Delhi Daredevils (53 off 30) and against Rising Pune Supergiants (63 off 37), it would put us in trouble. I was happy that I got his wicket. Before the ninth season commenced what particular aspects of your bowling did you work upon? Before the IPL, I was working on my flight. I worked on bowling slower through the air, so when a batsman comes down the track, I can bowl outside the off stump and beat him in flight. Generally, batsmen stay rooted to the crease and play the cut shot off my bowling. So, this is the variation I have worked on and wanted to get it right. You did not bowl at a stretch. How difficult is it for a bowler to keep coming back for very short spells? In T20s, a bowler at max, can get three straight overs. We have been practicing for this. It is tough to predict when you would be required to bowl and you need to stay focused as the captain can throw the ball at you anytime. There is always a plan that you would be bowling certain overs, but on the field it may vary. There is a stiff competition for the slot of left-arm spinner in the Indian team. What targets are you looking to achieve by the end of this season? Firstly, it would be really nice if we can win the IPL trophy and hand it over to our owner and coaches. It is every cricketer’s goal in the IPL to win a trophy for their owner and the franchise. Now that I have bowled well, I will look to carry this confidence forward. If you feel confident about your game and your bowling, it opens more doors for you and ultimately you can win your place back.