Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has raised serious questions over Axar Patel’s captaincy decisions during the Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2026 clash against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Finch expressed surprise at Axar’s bowling rotation, particularly his decision to rely heavily on part-time spinner Nitish Rana instead of backing his frontline options.
The move came as SRH fielded a left-handed heavy top order featuring Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan. Axar opted for Rana’s off-spin as a match-up strategy, but the plan backfired badly. After a tidy first over, Rana was taken apart, conceding 49 runs in his next three overs without picking up a wicket.
What raised eyebrows further was the underutilisation of Delhi’s premier spin duo—Axar himself and Kuldeep Yadav—who bowled just four overs combined. Meanwhile, SRH piled on a massive 242/2, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s stunning 135, and eventually sealed a comfortable 47-run win. Finch didn’t hold back in his assessment.
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“We’ve been scratching our heads. Your two main Indian spinners bowled just four overs between them, while a part-timer completed his quota. That makes no sense,” he said.
The former Australian skipper also questioned the intent behind Axar’s decision-making, suggesting it reflected a lack of confidence in his own bowling.
“He’s your captain, your senior player, a key Indian bowler and a World Cup winner. If he’s not backing himself in pressure situations, that says a lot about his mindset,” Aaron Finch added.
From a tactical standpoint, the call was equally puzzling. While Axar may not traditionally be seen as a wicket-taking option against left-handers, his control and economy make him a reliable defensive bowler.
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Similarly, Kuldeep’s variations often trouble left-handers, making his limited usage surprising. The result saw Delhi Capitals slip to fifth on the points table, while SRH climbed to third, highlighting how crucial in-game decisions can shape outcomes in a tightly contested IPL season.
