Delhi Capitals Dethrone CSK In Embarrassing IPL Feat With Snooze fest Vs KKR

Axar Patel, Ashutosh scored 39 off 46 balls [Source: AP]

Delhi Capitals extended their poor run in the IPL 2026, as Kolkata Knight Riders swatted them aside by eight wickets in match 51 of the tournament. Led by Axar Patel, DC huffed and puffed to a sub-par total of 142 runs in 20 overs. 

In response, KKR chased it comfortably inside 15 overs, with Finn Allen smashing a scintillating century. For the Capitals, Pathum Nissanka scored a valiant half-century, while Ashutosh Sharma contributed 39 runs to the tally. 

However, there was a passage of play that witnessed an extremely cautious approach from the DC batters, leading the team to a humiliating IPL feat surpassing CSK. 

Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma slammed for sloth-paced partnership

After winning the toss, KKR elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Although the Capitals had a steady start to their innings, courtesy of KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, the dismissal of the former opened the floodgates for them. 

Ashutosh Sharma joined skipper Axar Patel in the middle after the departure of Tristan Stubbs, who was cleaned up by Anukul Roy. 

When Stubbs got out, DC were placed at 89 for five in 10.5 overs. Therefore, Axar and Ashutosh's job was not only to score runs at a brisk pace but also to avoid further hiccups. 

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Although the experienced duo remained unbeaten until 18.3 overs, they failed to up the ante in the middle overs. They managed only 39 runs in 46 deliveries before Axar fell prey to Vaibhav Arora in the 19th over. 

While Ashutosh improved his strike rate in the slog overs, Axar could score only 11 runs in 22 deliveries. Their overly cautious batting approach restricted Delhi Capitals to 142 and placed them at the top of an embarrassing IPL feat, dethroning CSK. 

Delhi Capitals overtake CSK in infamous IPL record

Notably, Axar Patel and Ashutosh Sharma's slow-paced stand let Delhi Capitals score only eleven runs between the 12th and 16th overs against KKR. 

The duo collected a single off Sunil Narine in the 12th over while scoring ten runs in the subsequent four overs. 

They played 19 dot balls, increasing the pressure on Delhi Capitals during the crunch situation. CSK had scored 12 runs against KKR between the 12th and 16th overs in the IPL last season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This was the fewest score by any team in that phase until the Capitals broke it last night. 

Delhi Capitals' IPL 2026 campaign all but over

Led by Axar Patel, DC had an impressive start to the season, winning their first two matches convincingly. However, their performance massively deteriorated as the season progressed. 

The Capitals went on to lose seven of their subsequent nine fixtures, finding themselves on the verge of another group-stage exit from the tournament. 

Notably, Delhi Capitals haven't qualified for the IPL playoffs since the 2022 season. As stated by their captain, Axar Patel, the team will assess its grey areas and resolve them as it eyes redemption in the next IPL season. 

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