IPL 2026: Axar Patel Reacts to Abhishek Sharma's Century and DC's 47-Run Defeat

In the 31st match of IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals suffered a significant 47-run defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad. Following the conclusion of the match, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel expressed his disappointment regarding the result. The primary architect of Hyderabad's victory was Abhishek Sharma, whose dominant batting display left the Delhi bowlers struggling throughout the innings. After the match, Axar Patel discussed how Abhishek's performance put his team on the backfoot.

Abhishek Sharma's Masterclass and Missed Opportunities

Abhishek Sharma played a pivotal role in Hyderabad's win, scoring a massive unbeaten 135 runs off just 68 deliveries. Axar Patel highlighted that missed opportunities on the field were the turning points of the game. He specifically mentioned that if the team had successfully executed the run-out chance or held onto the catch offered by Abhishek, they might have been able to restrict the scoring. However, Axar also noted that when a player bats with such precision and quality, they deserve full credit for their performance.

Defending the Bowlers and Acknowledging Heinrich Klaasen

Despite the high score conceded, Axar Patel stood by his bowling unit, while he stated that when a batsman is in such exceptional form, it isn't necessarily the fault of the bowlers. He also pointed out the contribution of Heinrich Klaasen, who supported Abhishek from the other end, while axar remarked that in situations where the opposition bats so flawlessly, even the coach and captain must acknowledge that the batsmen are nearly impossible to stop, and it isn't a reflection of poor bowling.

The Importance of Fielding and Supporting Bowlers

Axar emphasized the necessity of supporting bowlers during high-scoring encounters. He shared that he advised his bowlers not to be discouraged if a good delivery was met with a great shot. According to the captain, while the result of a delivery might be out of control, fielding areas like catching and run-outs are within the team's hands. He believes this is where the team could have performed better, stressing that providing moral support to bowlers during such phases is crucial for the team's morale.

Future Outlook and Stance on Team Changes

Regarding potential changes to the squad for the upcoming matches, Axar Patel indicated that no immediate alterations are being considered. He maintained that the team has been batting and bowling well overall, while he described the match as an 'off day' and suggested that on such a good batting surface, it's best to move on from the result. The captain remains confident in the current team's abilities despite the setback against Sunrisers Hyderabad.