Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel delivered an honest and introspective assessment after his side’s crushing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026, admitting he was struggling to understand the sudden dip in form. It has been a dramatic downturn for Delhi. Against Punjab Kings, they posted a mammoth 264—one of the highest totals in IPL history—only to watch it get chased down with ease. Days later, things worsened as they were bowled out for just 75, with RCB comfortably chasing the target in 6.3 overs.
Reflecting on the loss, Axar Patel said, “Even I don’t know what happened. You have to be on your toes in cricket. We need to forget these losses and move on.” The DC skipper acknowledged that while small moments may have shifted games earlier in the season, the bigger issue lies in consistency and intent.
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“You can think about it, but ifs and buts keep going on. One catch (vs Punjab) or one run in that GT game could have kept the momentum ticking.” He further stressed the intensity required to compete in the IPL, adding, “But you have to be on your toes and you need to be consistent with what you are doing. You cannot take things easy in the IPL.”
Delhi Capitals have now lost five of their last six matches, slipping to seventh on the points table with just three wins in eight games. This is a stark contrast to their early-season form, where they registered back-to-back wins and looked like strong contenders.
Despite the slump, Axar remains focused on keeping the dressing room mentally strong. “We have to move on. If you are negative, you have to play; if you are positive, you have to play.” He also credited RCB’s bowling attack for exploiting conditions effectively.
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“I wasn’t surprised. They are world-class bowlers. If our top order played out a couple more overs, things would have been different.” Delhi now face a crucial phase in their campaign, with upcoming matches against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings likely to define their playoff chances in IPL 2026.
