IPL 2026: Axar Patel Urges DC to ‘Move On' After Batting Collapse in 9-Wicket Loss to RCB

New Delhi, April 27: Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel called for calm and resilience after his side suffered a crushing nine-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 on Monday (April 27) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

What made the result even more startling was the contrast - this was the same Delhi side that had piled up 264 at this very venue in their previous game, yet on this night, they crumbled to 75 all out in 16.3 overs, producing a completely different performance.

RCB chased down the modest target with ease, reaching 77/1 in just 6.3 overs, powered by a clinical bowling effort from Josh Hazlewood, who claimed four wickets, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who picked up three.

"We Lost Wickets in Clusters": Axar on Batting Collapse

Reflecting on the defeat, Axar admitted that the batting unit failed to find any rhythm, with wickets falling in quick succession. He pointed out that no batter managed to settle, which proved decisive in the collapse.

"We lost six wickets in about 15-16 balls. It wasn't like someone got set. That hurt us badly," Axar said, adding that the team must treat it as an off day and move forward. He also hinted that the fallout from the previous match may have played a role, suggesting there was "some hesitation" within the group.

Despite the heavy defeat, Axar refrained from blaming individuals, instead attributing the collapse partly to "bad luck" and the inability to build partnerships.

Conditions Played a Role, But No Excuses

Axar acknowledged that the conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium were trickier than expected, especially early on. There was noticeable swing in the first few overs, which caught the batters off guard.

"There was swing initially, but once the ball got hit for boundaries, it reduced. It became a different game," he explained.

He credited RCB's experienced bowlers for exploiting the conditions effectively but maintained that Delhi's bowlers were not at fault, given the low total on the board.

"When you have only 60-70 runs, somewhere in the back of your mind you feel it's a low score. I don't think our bowlers did anything wrong," he added.

"Focus on What We Can Control"

With the tournament entering a crucial phase, Axar stressed the importance of staying grounded and focusing on controllables rather than external pressure.

"Every match has pressure. You can't think it will be easy. We need to follow our process, stay prepared and be ready for anything," he said.

The DC skipper made it clear that drastic changes were not the solution, backing the current squad to bounce back.

"This is probably the first time in many matches we have played bad cricket. Changing the team won't guarantee results. It's about mindset and sticking together," he noted.

Message to Fans and Backing Youngsters

Axar also had a message for fans, urging them to continue supporting the team during tough times. "If the fans are disheartened, we are too. But support should not depend on results. Keep believing in the team," the all-rounder said.

He defended the decision to hand a debut to Sahil Parakh, explaining it was a tactical move to bring in a left-right combination at the top. While the youngster failed to make an impact, Axar expressed confidence in his long-term potential.

The captain confirmed that Mitchell Starc has joined the squad and will be available soon, with his workload being carefully managed.

Despite the setback, Axar remained optimistic about Delhi Capitals' chances going forward. "As a captain, you either make excuses or fight as a team. We still have matches left. We will prepare and fight together," he said.

Delhi Capitals' dramatic collapse against RCB highlighted their inconsistency, but Axar Patel's composed response suggests a team still searching for balance. The challenge now is to quickly regroup and ensure that such extremes - from 264 to 75 - do not define their campaign.