New Delhi: Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel delivered a candid assessment after his side’s eight-wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings, admitting they were “10–15 runs short” and lacked impact in the bowling department—particularly from Kuldeep Yadav.

“We were 10–15 runs short”

Axar felt Delhi’s total of 155 wasn’t enough on a surface that initially appeared tricky.

“The way the wicket was playing, I thought 155 was competitive. But with the batting depth we had, we were still short by 10–15 runs.”

Despite a collapse that left DC reeling early, late contributions from Sameer Rizvi (40*) and Tristan Stubbs (38) helped push the total to a fighting score.

Pitch behaviour: tough for new batters

Axar explained the two-paced nature of the wicket at Arun Jaitley Stadium:

  • Length balls were holding up
  • Some deliveries stayed low, others rose unexpectedly
  • New batters struggled to adjust

“For a new batter, it wasn’t easy… but once set, it looked like there was nothing in the pitch.”

This contrast was evident during the chase, where Sanju Samson anchored the innings with an unbeaten 87, making the target look far less challenging.

“Missed my partner” — Axar on Kuldeep

In one of his most telling remarks, Axar admitted he missed the cutting edge usually provided by Kuldeep.

  • Kuldeep’s figures: 3 overs, 34 runs, 0 wickets
  • Struggled to extract turn or control

“In bowling, I missed my partner Kuldeep… that lethality.”

While not a direct criticism, the comment underlined how crucial Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability is to DC’s bowling plans—especially on spin-friendly surfaces.

Positives despite defeat

Axar did find a few encouraging signs:

  • Lower-order fightback after early collapse
  • Contributions from young batters under pressure
  • Ability to reach a competitive total from a poor position

Playoff pressure builds

With the Indian Premier League 2026 season entering its final phase, Delhi now face a must-win scenario.

“We cannot afford mistakes now. Whatever chances we get, we must win.”

Their upcoming clash against Kolkata Knight Riders becomes crucial for survival in the playoff race.

The bigger concern

Delhi’s issues are now clear:

  • ❌ Fragile top order
  • ❌ Lack of bowling penetration
  • ❌ Over-reliance on individual brilliance

Unless these are addressed quickly, their campaign risks fading out despite moments of promise.