Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has raised serious concerns about Nitish Rana’s form, pointing out a clear technical vulnerability against short-pitched bowling as the Delhi Capitals continue to struggle in IPL 2026. The criticism comes at a time when Delhi’s campaign is rapidly losing momentum. Their recent nine-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium exposed major flaws, with the side bowled out for just 75.

That collapse followed another setback where they failed to defend a massive 264 against the Punjab Kings, putting both their batting and bowling units under intense scrutiny. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth didn’t hold back as he assessed Delhi’s batting lineup.

“It’s been ages since Tristan Stubbs scored something substantial. Nitish Rana is a gone case when you bounce him,” he said. “Sameer Rizvi struggles early against pace. If he settles after attacking spin, then he can manage pacers. David Miller hasn’t done anything impactful either.”

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His blunt remarks reflect a growing concern around the Delhi Capitals’ fragile middle order, which has failed to deliver consistently in crunch situations. While there have been occasional bright spots earlier in the season, the lack of sustained performances has hurt the team’s balance.

The spotlight has also shifted to captain Axar Patel, who has endured a difficult campaign so far. With limited contributions from both bat and ball, questions are being raised about his impact as an all-rounder and leader.

“He hasn’t done anything with the bat in a long time. Even as an all-rounder and captain, it’s been ages since he has delivered,” Kris Srikkanth added. “When was the last time he produced something decisive? How can the team progress if this continues?”

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With just a handful of wins and mounting pressure, Delhi Capitals now face a crucial phase in the tournament. Upcoming fixtures against the Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders could define their season, making it imperative for key players to step up immediately.