Axar Patel Reacts to DC’s Shocking Collapse vs RCB

Axar Patel didn’t shy away from speaking honestly after Delhi Capitals suffered a crushing defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Reflecting on the loss, he pointed to hesitation and sheer bad luck as the key reasons behind one of the team’s most shocking batting collapses.

Delhi’s innings fell apart dramatically, with the team losing 8 wickets for just 6 runs—effectively ending the contest within moments. The constant fall of wickets meant no batter could settle in or build any resistance.

‘We Carried the Weight of the Last Game’

Axar admitted that the scars of the previous match lingered in the players’ minds.

“There was a bit of hesitation because of what happened in the last game. And yes, there was some bad luck too. Wickets kept falling every couple of balls, and no one could really get set,” he said.

It was clear that the team wasn’t just battling the opposition—they were also fighting their own doubts.

Swing Early On Made Things Tough

The DC skipper also highlighted how the pitch and conditions played their part. According to him, the ball was swinging significantly in the early overs, making life difficult for the batters.

“There was swing in the first over, but it eased out later. When you only put up 60–70 runs, bowlers naturally gain confidence,” Axar explained.

Those early blows pushed the team on the back foot, and from there, recovery seemed out of reach.

‘Batting Let Us Down, Not the Bowlers’

Axar was quick to defend his bowlers, making it clear that the responsibility lay with the batting unit.

“The way we batted, I would call it bad luck more than anything,” he said.

He also confirmed that Mitchell Starc has now joined the squad and will be available for selection after May 1, though his workload will be carefully managed.

Backing a Young Debutant

On handing a debut to young Sahil Parakh, Axar said the decision was based on the need for a left-right combination and the player’s impressive performances in the nets.

Although Parakh was dismissed after just two balls, the captain stood firmly by him.

“It was his first game. I’m not going to judge him on that. He has a lot of potential,” Axar said, showing faith in the youngster despite the tough start.

Lessons Learned, Eyes on the Future

Axar also admitted that the team misread the pitch.

“Two days ago, the wicket looked similar, but today there was more swing due to wind and day-night conditions. As professionals, we should be ready for that,” he noted.

Despite the heavy loss, he ruled out any drastic changes.

“One bad match doesn’t change everything. It’s about mindset and mental strength,” he added.

A Message for the Fans

Axar ended with a heartfelt appeal to the fans, urging them to stand by the team in difficult times. Because in sport, as in life, true support matters the most when things aren’t going your way.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies