Axar Patel Holds These Players Responsible For Worst-Ever IPL Record

Axar Patel [Source: AP]

Delhi Capitals suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Punjab Kings in match number 35 of the IPL 2026 season. Defending 265, Capitals bowlers failed to contain Punjab Kings’ batting rampage at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, April 25.

After the match, captain Axar Patel fittingly took his teammates to the cleaners, and even held them responsible for failing to hold on to their catching opportunities. For instance, twin drops from Karun Nair to reprieve visiting skipper Shreyas Iyer within a space of a minute ended up costing the Capitals a near-certain two-pointer.

Axar Patel reprimands Delhi Capitals teammates for record defeat

While speaking with commentator Ravi Shastri during the post-match presentation ceremony, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel lambasted his teammates for losing to Punjab Kings.

Defending 265 runs on a batting-friendly surface, the all-rounder criticized his fielders for not supporting their bowlers enough. Patel even added that his team “deserved to lose” owing to their underwhelming fielding performance.

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He said “We're making the same mistakes repeatedly. If you don't support the bowlers on such a wicket, I think you deserve to lose. If we grab the crucial moments, two or three results would have gone our way.”

Axar Patel, however, also targeted his bowlers for failing to contain Punjab Kings rampage in Delhi, especially during the powerplay overs.

He added “At the same time, our bowling unit also needs to take a look [at them], given their score in the powerplay.”

Wayward bowling, poor fielding cost Delhi Capitals the match

Every single Delhi Capitals bowler conceded runs at more than 11 an over, at least, against Punjab Kings in match 35 of the IPL 2026 season.

Even ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who picked up two wickets in the high-scoring game, leaked 46 runs off his four overs. New ball paceman Auqib Nabi conceded 41 off his two overs, and Indian international Mukesh Kumar conceded 55 off his three.

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Moreover, the Capitals players even spilled a few catching opportunities to concede a huge advantage to Punjab Kings. During the fag end of the run chase, Karun Nair dropped a well-set Shreyas Iyer twice in the space of just three deliveries.

Iyer made the most of his escape by slapping 71* off just 36 balls as the Punjab Kings franchise secured a historic victory.

Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings: As it happened

Delhi Capitals batted first and mounted 264-2 in 20 overs. Opening batter KL Rahul plundered 152* off just 67 balls with 16 boundaries and nine sixes. Interestingly, Rahul himself was dropped by Punjab Kings fielder Shashank Singh at just 12* inside the powerplay.

Nitish Rana at number three also bludgeoned 91 off just 44 balls in the high-scoring innings.

In response, Punjab Kings openers Prabhsimran Singh blasted 76 off just 26 balls and Priyansh Arya made 43 off 16 as the two cricketers forged a record 126-run partnership in just 6.5 overs.

Captain Shreyas Iyer crafted 71* off 36 balls to blaze Punjab Kings to a huge six-wicket win in 18.5 overs, thus ensuring his side remains the only unbeaten team this IPL 2026 season so far.

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