Axar Patel Blames Kuldeep Yadav For DC's Embarrassing Defeat vs CSK

Axar Patel begins blame game for defeat vs CSK [Source: AFP]

Delhi Capitals lost their recent clash against CSK by 8 wickets, thus denting their playoff qualification scenario. After the game, captain Axar Patel blamed his spin partner for not being useful from the other end.

Batting first, DC collapsed to just 155 runs at the loss of 7 wickets. KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka and Karun Nair departed cheaply. Sameer Rizvi, meanwhile, scored 40 off 24 balls to guide Delhi into a respectable total.

Axar Patel blames Kuldeep Yadav for the lacklustre performance

Meanwhile, in the chase, CSK took the game away from the Delhi Capitals. Sanju Samson hit 87* off 52 balls to wrap up the chase in 17.3 overs and seal an emphatic victory.

While CSK rejoiced at the important victory, DC captain Axar Patel was upset with the team’s performance, especially his spin partner Kuldeep Yadav. He expected Kuldeep to be the strike spinner on a turning track.

“The only positive was the way we batted in the end after losing five wickets. We got a good finish. In the bowling department, I missed my partner Kuldeep Yadav,” Axar said post-match. 

Even CSK spinners Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad were successful in the first innings. Hence, Axar expected to team up with Kuldeep to deceive CSK’s batting unit.

However, Kuldeep Yadav let his captain down as he conceded 34 runs in his 3 overs without taking a single wicket. Axar Patel, meanwhile, grabbed a single wicket for 25 runs.

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DC fell 15-20 runs short, feels Axar

In the first innings, Delhi Capitals didn’t perform great either. The team scored just 155 runs, with Sameer Rizvi being the top run-getter at 40 off 24 balls. While CSK wrapped up the chase with 15 balls to spare, Axar Patel felt DC were 15-20 runs short.

“The way the wicket was behaving in the first innings, I thought 155 was a good score. We are playing with eight batters, so I feel we were 10-15 runs short. I feel the wicket got slightly better in the second innings, but it was just a case of us not having any set batter,” he added.

He added that the pitch had something to offer for the bowlers as new batters were struggling to settle in. 

“When set batters play, you feel there is nothing much happening on the wicket. But I still think there was something in it for the bowlers. For new batters, it wasn't easy, as the length ball was holding up a bit. One can see how Samson finished the game, hence it was a case of the set batters,” Patel also said.

Delhi Capitals are only mathematically alive in the playoff race

That being said, with this being their 6th loss of the season, the Delhi Capitals’ playoff qualification scenario has taken a huge hit. They now have to win their remaining four games while also hoping that other teams’ results go in their favour.

While the scenario mathematically makes sense, the possibility of getting 4/4 wins is more about sustained execution under pressure, something DC haven’t shown. 

For now, Axar Patel’s focus is to ensure the team doesn’t lose confidence and that their morale remains high despite the setbacks.

Also Read - CSK Qualification Scenario For IPL 2026 Playoffs After Win vs DC