Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani believes his team has already pinpointed what went wrong after two straight defeats in IPL 2026, and he is urging the squad to respond immediately ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes meeting with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Despite slipping into the lower half of the standings following losses to Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, Badani played down any talk that the side is running out of momentum, saying Delhi’s focus is on correcting specific issues rather than worrying about momentum swings.
Badani’s message after back-to-back setbacks
- Delhi suffered successive defeats in IPL 2026, first against Gujarat Titans and then against Chennai Super Kings.
- Speaking before the clash with RCB, Badani acknowledged the noise around momentum in franchise cricket but redirected attention to identifying the precise areas that need improvement.
- He said Delhi have “figured out” the problem spots and believe they have addressed the relevant concerns within the group.
Badani also highlighted that Delhi’s batting has not been far off the mark, arguing that competitive totals have been a consistent feature even when results have not followed. He pointed to the numbers: Delhi have reached totals of 190 and 200, and in one match they lost by a single run. In the most recent outing, they again posted a score in the 180–190 range.
“We have scored 190 and 200. We lost a game by one run. In the last game as well, we scored around 180–190,” Badani said, adding that the difference now is for their batters to convert those starts into the right finish when it matters most. His expectation is that, with those adjustments, Delhi will be in better stead.
Backing Auqib Nabi despite a difficult start
Badani further expressed confidence in young pacer Auqib Nabi, who faced a stern test in his debut against CSK, conceding 17 runs in two overs. Rather than treating the outing as a setback, Badani explained that the decision to back him was built on two key traits—temperament and consistency.
He noted that Nabi has maintained composure, adding that while many players can swing in intensity after the highs and lows of early games, Nabi has remained even throughout. Badani also stressed that nerves are normal in a first appearance, but believes Nabi has the skill to rise to a higher level and deliver for Delhi moving forward.
RCB’s balanced challenge and Delhi’s areas of concern
While Delhi look to find stability, RCB arrive as one of the more well-rounded units in the competition this season. The batting framework is no longer dependent on just one figure, even as Virat Kohli continues to set the tone. Kohli currently holds the Orange Cap, and his form is complemented by contributions from Rajat Patidar, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt and Tim David, giving RCB a deeper and more flexible lineup.
Patidar, in particular, has stood out by leading the six-hitting charts this season, underlining how RCB can accelerate at crucial stages. For Delhi, however, inconsistency remains the central worry. Badani’s comments suggest that the team needs more rhythm from several established players, including KL Rahul, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, who have struggled to find consistent form. Captain Axar Patel and spinner Kuldeep Yadav are also yet to reach their peak levels this campaign.
