Delhi Capitals’ title dreams in IPL 2026 have taken a serious hit, and the season has not been kind to the franchise. Guided by Axar Patel, the side started with promise by winning their opening two fixtures, but since then their form has slipped steadily. Most recently, Delhi suffered another difficult night as Punjab Kings chased down a 265-run target, and just two days later the campaign reached a new low when the Capitals were dismissed for only 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). That total became the smallest score by any team in the 19th edition of the league.
There was a moment in Bengaluru’s chase when it looked as though Delhi might avoid setting a record for the wrong reasons. At one stage, the Capitals reduced RCB to 8/6, and the prospect of the long-standing IPL low total of 49 being surpassed seemed realistic. Yet, somehow, Delhi still ended up crossing that unfortunate line. RCB then completed the chase of 76 in the seventh over, finishing with nine wickets in hand and turning Delhi’s struggle into a fresh talking point.
After the loss to the defending champions, Axar addressed the media and made a direct, heartfelt request to the fanbase. Despite the franchise’s problems on the field, the captain urged supporters to stay with the team through thick and thin. He stressed that a loss should not change the level of backing, saying fans must keep standing behind the players even when results are not going their way. The spin-bowling all-rounder, who is also experiencing a tough patch personally in IPL 2026, acknowledged that the defeat hurts the dressing room as well and insisted the group will respond with greater effort.
“You talked about the fanbase. I can only reassure them that if the fans feel let down, the players feel it too,” Axar said in the post-match press conference. “After putting in so much hard work, we don’t play to lose. This is the moment when they should support the players. It shouldn’t be that you only back us when we win. Support should stay the same, whether we end up on the winning side or not.”
Axar added that belief is crucial even when things go wrong, noting that leadership is as much about maintaining trust as it is about tactics. “The important part is that you’re supporting a team. Keep doing that and keep faith and belief. As a captain, I trust my team. That belief matters a lot. I truly feel we can turn things around,” he concluded.
Delhi’s playoff hopes slim to a near-impossible task
With the defeat, Delhi’s situation has grown even more precarious. The Capitals are currently placed seventh in the points table, and their path to the playoffs has become extremely narrow. To remain in contention, Axar’s side now need to win at least five of their remaining six matches.
Axar also opened up about what he felt was lingering damage from the previous game—specifically the aftermath of the setback against Punjab Kings, when Delhi conceded a 265-run chase. He suggested that the earlier loss may have affected the team’s mindset and execution against RCB, resulting in batters getting out too frequently. “What happened in the last game, when we lost after scoring 264, may have had an effect,” Axar admitted. “There was hesitation from the batters. Apart from that, it was bad luck. The batters kept getting out within a few balls. We’ll have to forget this day and move on,” he said.
On the field, Bengaluru’s bowlers made the difference quickly. Josh Hazlewood was the standout for RCB with four wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up three as Delhi were dismissed for 75 in 16.3 overs. Axar praised the pace duo’s discipline and control, saying, “Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood are world-class bowlers who bowled a good length.”
