Axar Patel conceded that Delhi Capitals\u2019 batting and bowling both failed to deliver on the night, after the franchise suffered an eight-wicket thrashing at home against Kolkata Knight Riders. The result dealt a near-fatal blow to DC\u2019s IPL 2026 playoff ambitions, while also prompting the all-rounder to suggest the squad has already started turning its attention to what comes next.<\/p>\n
DC\u2019s evening began badly and ended worse, with the hosts posting just 142\/8. Kolkata Knight Riders then chased the target comfortably in 14.2 overs, with Finn Allen striking a match-defining unbeaten century (100*). Allen\u2019s acceleration was complemented by a destructive partnership with Cameron Green, who remained not out on 33 as the visitors dismantled Delhi\u2019s bowling attack.<\/p>\n
After the loss, Delhi sit eighth in the standings with eight points from 11 matches. Kolkata, meanwhile, revived their postseason chances by climbing to seventh, collecting nine points from 10 outings. Even with the upturn, KKR\u2019s path to the knockout stage is still expected to be challenging from here.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the match, Axar said the side would first examine what went wrong and then plan for the future. \u201cFor now, we\u2019ll go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there\u2019s still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we\u2019ll think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Axar also hinted at potential changes to the make-up of the team for the next season, adding that the franchise would assess the players available and decide who could be handed opportunities. \u201cBased on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
With teams increasingly posting 200-plus totals in the tournament, Axar acknowledged that 142 was always going to be a struggle, admitting the score fell well short of what was required. He also pointed to errors in the way the spinners executed their plans while defending a modest target.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the way the pitch behaved, I feel the spinners did make errors,\u201d Axar said.<\/p>\n
He further explained that momentum was lost when wickets fell in quick succession. \u201cAt the same time, we lost five wickets in two-three overs, and I think that\u2019s where the momentum slipped away from us. That\u2019s probably something we need to think about because the same thing happened against CSK… we started well, and then suddenly wickets kept falling,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Axar believes there are solutions, but stressed that the real fix lies in mindset and execution under pressure. \u201cHe admitted the solutions to the issues could be found but players need to show the right mindset and character. See, you can\u2019t solve it in a complicated way. So, I think it\u2019s more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease and play through it. I think that\u2019s what needs to be applied, when wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two,\u201d Axar opined.<\/p>\n
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was pleased to see Finn Allen finally rediscover his batting rhythm after a difficult stretch earlier in the season. \u201cI\u2019m really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic. But I want to praise our bowlers again,\u201d Rahane said.<\/p>\n
Rahane credited the bowling group for keeping Delhi under control and giving KKR a platform to chase. \u201cWe did well because of them. And they\u2019ve been doing it so well consistently, especially those middle overs and the death overs. Our spinners, Sunil Narine, Varun (Chakravarthy) and Anukul Roy, have been fantastic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also highlighted the team\u2019s fielding standards and the role of their support staff. \u201cFielding-wise, yes, we are working really hard. Our fielding coach has been really strict with us. And that\u2019s what has been helping us. The result which you\u2019ve been seeing about the catches and the ground fielding, credit goes to our fielding coach as well,\u201d Rahane added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Axar Patel conceded that Delhi Capitals\u2019 batting and bowling both failed to deliver on the night, after the franchise suffered an eight-wicket thrashing at home…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Axar Patel on Delhi Collapse vs KKR | IPL 2026 Focus","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Axar Patel breaks down Delhi\u2019s collapse vs KKR after an eight-wicket loss, admitting both departments failed\u2014and revealing the squad\u2019s IPL 2026 focus.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n