Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel handled the media himself after a brutal defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League on Monday. The match turned into a shocker for DC as they slumped to 9 runs for the loss of 6 wickets inside the opening four overs. The collapse left the dressing room and local supporters visibly stunned, and Axar took direct ownership of the response.
Quick facts
- DC captain Axar Patel addressed the media after Monday’s loss to RCB in IPL 2026.
- Delhi were reduced to 9/6 in the first four overs.
- The defeat marked DC’s third straight loss.
- After losing again, DC slipped to seventh place in the points table.
- Axar said he wants the group to stay mentally stable and prepare for the next matches.
Speaking at the press conference, Axar acknowledged that lifting the team’s mood and direction after such a humiliating result is part of a captain’s job. He framed leadership as responsibility that goes beyond the playing XI, extending to the support staff and even the wider set-up around the franchise.
Axar also confirmed that the side’s current run of setbacks has made things tougher in the race for the playoffs. With the loss against Rajat Patidar’s side, Delhi have now dropped three games in a row and find themselves sitting in seventh position. Still, he insisted that the team will not allow the setback to define the remaining weeks.
“You learn responsibilities as a captain”
When asked what captaincy has taught him, Axar underlined that the role demands constant motivation and clear thinking. He said his “basic theory” is to do what can be influenced—staying inside the controllable parts of the game rather than looking for excuses.
Axar explained the mental fork that captains and teams face during tough phases: either blame individuals or reset collectively by preparing properly. His message was that, as a unit, DC must prepare, stick together, and fight as one after setbacks.
He was also asked whether DC would make a heavy shake-up following this historic collapse. Axar suggested that major changes are unlikely to be the answer, indicating the team would likely stick with a similar combination. In the same breath, he stressed the importance of emotional steadiness—moving forward together with the right mindset and preparation.
What went wrong with the bat?
Axar pointed to what he felt was lingering pressure from the previous outing. He said the effects of the earlier match—where Punjab Kings chased down a 265-run target against DC—were still present as the players walked out to face RCB.
In his view, batters carried hesitation about defending a big score, which he felt showed up early in the innings. Axar said wickets fell in the very first phase of the chase, with DC losing six wickets in about 15 to 16 balls, and that agitation likely fed the collapse.
Axar was then questioned about whether additional pressure specifically came into play for the RCB game. He pushed back on the idea of unique pressure, arguing that IPL matches consistently come with pressure of one kind or another.
He added that the real challenge is to keep following the process even when circumstances feel tense. Axar said the side has to focus on preparation every day and cannot assume an “easy win,” insisting that the mindset must remain disciplined while the team moves on quickly from the result.
