Nothing is going right for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The team led by Axar Patel started well, winning their first two matches, but since then, the side has been on a downward spiral. On Saturday, the Delhi Capitals let the Punjab Kings chase down 265, and two days later, the franchise registered the lowest total of the 19th edition of the T20 tournament, after being bowled out for 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
At one stage, Delhi were 8/6, and it seemed as if RCB’s record of the lowest-ever total in the IPL (49) would be broken. However, somehow, the Delhi Capitals managed to surpass this figure. RCB then chased the target of 76 in the seventh over with nine wickets in hand.
After the loss against the defending champions RCB, Delhi captain Axar launched a humble appeal, urging fans to keep supporting the franchise. He said that the fans’ job is to get behind the team even when the results aren’t coming.
The spin-bowling all-rounder, who himself is going through a lean patch in IPL 2026, said that the players are also hurting by the defeat and will do everything in their power to change the fortunes around.
“You spoke about the fanbase. I can just console them by saying that if the fans are disheartened, the players are, too. After so much hard work, we do not play to lose. I think this is the time they should support the players. It shouldn’t be that you only support us when we win. Whether we win or lose, support should remain the same,” Axar told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“The important thing is that you are supporting a team. Continue that and have trust and belief. As a captain, I trust my team. That belief is very important. I have faith that we can change it all around,” he added.
Delhi’s chances all but done
Delhi, currently in seventh place, must win at least five of its remaining six matches to have any chance of making the playoffs. After the defeat against RCB, Axar admitted that there was an aftereffect of the loss against Punjab Kings, where the hosts let Shreyas Iyer and company overhaul the 265-run total.
“What happened in the last game, when we lost after scoring 264, may have had an effect. There was hesitation from the batters. Other than that, it was bad luck. The batters just kept getting out within a few balls. We will just have to forget this day and move on,” said Axar.
Speaking of the game between DC and RCB, Josh Hazlewood scalped four wickets while Bhuvneshwar took three as the hosts were bundled out for 75 in 16.3 overs.
“Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood are world-class bowlers who held a good length,” Axar said about the pace duo.
