Ahead of a crucial IPL 2025 clash, a light-hearted yet touching moment between Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting coach Dinesh Karthik stole the spotlight at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. During DC’s nets session, Axar was in full flow when Karthik casually strolled over. Spotting him nearby, Axar paused his practice to greet his former teammate warmly.
A slightly flustered Karthik jokingly urged Axar to “act like a captain” and continue batting. When Axar wouldn’t stop smiling and chatting, Karthik walked away laughing, saying, “Don’t joke around, please carry on batting.” The camaraderie between the two reflected the mutual respect they share, even amidst a tense playoff race.
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Delhi Capitals currently sit second on the table with 12 points from eight games. In their previous meeting against RCB, KL Rahul’s calm half-century had guided DC to a comfortable win.
KL Rahul with Dinesh karthik ❤️
Bengaluru boy and Bengaluru player bond go well champ KL 💙 #DCvsRCBpic.twitter.com/Tnd8xSbU2R
— Pragadees 🇮🇳 (@pragadees20O6) April 26, 2025
Jake Fraser-McGurk praised Axar, saying, “Axar’s leadership is natural — he always tells us to keep smiling. Talking to him feels like chatting with a good friend, not a captain.”
Although Axar has been nursing a slight niggle, he bowled his full quota in the last match — a massive positive for Delhi as the business end approaches. Meanwhile, for RCB, Krunal Pandya has stepped up brilliantly with 12 wickets in nine games, playing a pivotal role for his new franchise.
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Delhi might continue with a three-foreigner setup, sticking to a domestic-heavy top order featuring Abishek Porel and Karun Nair, after recently dropping Fraser-Mcgurk.
With both sides in strong form, Sunday’s encounter promises fireworks — and perhaps a few more smiles between old friends before the real battle begins.
