New Delhi: Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel admitted that his team’s campaign in IPL 2026 is all but over after a crushing eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), while also hinting at a possible rebuild ahead of the next season.

The loss left DC languishing at eighth place on the points table with just eight points from 11 matches, making their chances of reaching the playoffs extremely slim. In contrast, KKR kept their hopes alive by climbing to seventh with a strong run of recent victories.

Axar Patel’s ‘next year’ remark raises eyebrows

In a candid post-match interaction, Axar indicated that the team management has already begun thinking about the future, including potential changes to the squad.

“For now, we will go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there is still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we will think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take,” Axar said.

He also suggested that players on the bench could get opportunities in the remaining matches as the franchise evaluates its options.

“Based on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make,” he added.

The statement has fuelled speculation about a possible overhaul in the DC setup ahead of IPL 2027.

Batting collapse proves costly again

Delhi Capitals’ struggles with consistency were once again exposed during the match. After a decent start, the team suffered a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets in quick succession — a pattern that has plagued them throughout the season.

Axar acknowledged that the batting unit failed to capitalise on good starts.

“We lost five wickets in two-three overs, and that is where the momentum slipped away from us. The same thing happened in previous matches as well,” he said.

Despite a fighting knock of 39 off 28 balls by Ashutosh Sharma and a steady 50 from Pathum Nissanka, DC could only manage 142 for 8 — a total that proved well below par on a surface where higher scores have been common this season.

Bowlers fail to defend modest total

Axar also pointed out shortcomings in the bowling department, particularly among the spinners, who could not execute their plans effectively while defending the modest target.

“I think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the pitch, we could have done better,” he admitted.

KKR chased down the target in just 14.2 overs, thanks to a sensational unbeaten century by Finn Allen and a solid supporting role from Cameron Green, exposing DC’s inability to apply pressure with the ball.

Mindset and game awareness under scrutiny

Highlighting the need for mental resilience, Axar stressed that the team must learn to handle pressure situations better.

“You cannot solve it in a complicated way. It is more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease,” he explained.

He emphasised the importance of absorbing pressure during critical phases instead of allowing collapses to derail the innings.

“When wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two,” he added.

KKR’s resurgence continues

While DC struggled, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane praised his team’s all-round performance, particularly the bowlers who set up the win.

Rahane expressed satisfaction over Finn Allen’s return to form after a slow start to the season.

“I am really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling in the first few games but worked really hard. The way he batted tonight was fantastic,” Rahane said.

He also credited the bowling unit, especially spinners Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Anukul Roy, for consistently delivering in crucial phases.

“Our bowlers have been doing well in the middle and death overs. The spinners have been outstanding,” he added.

Rahane further highlighted improvements in fielding, attributing the team’s sharpness to strict training under the fielding coach.

Conclusion

Delhi Capitals’ disappointing campaign appears to be nearing its end, with Axar Patel’s remarks signalling a shift in focus towards rebuilding for the future. With recurring issues in both batting and bowling, DC may look to experiment in their remaining matches and reassess their strategy ahead of IPL 2027. Meanwhile, KKR’s resurgence adds intrigue to the playoff race as they continue their late push for a top-four finish.