Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel made a massive error while assessing the team’s qualification scenario for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 playoffs after their 8-wicket loss to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at home on Tuesday, May 5th. Axar Patel remarked that DC will look to win their remaining five matches to make it into the top four, when in reality they only have four more remaining games in hand.
Speaking during the post-match interview, Axar Patel bemoaned the lack of support with the ball from his spin partner Kuldeep Yadav, and concluded by stating that there is no room for error. DC, with 8 points after 10 matches, could have reached a maximum tally of 18 if they had five more matches to play in the league stage.
However, their qualification scenario, with only four games remaining, is much trickier now as they have to win every remaining game to reach the unanimously desired 16-point mark in the league table.
Axar Patel’s thoughts on the qualification scenario.Â
Speaking during the post-match interaction with the broadcasters, Axar Patel said, “It’s a clear situation now- we can’t afford any more slip-ups. With five games left, the mindset is simple: we need to win all five games.”Â
DC are on a barren run in terms of playoff action in recent years. The franchise last made it to the knockout stage or the playoffs, as we call it in the IPL 2021 season, and then missed out by a single point last year.
Axar Patel reckons 155 was a competitive score to defend.Â
DC captain Axar Patel, after opting to bat first, was made to immediately regret the decision after being reduced to 69/5 after 11 overs. A rescue act by Tristan Stubbs and impact player Sameer Rizvi, and a final flourish by Ashutosh Sharma, helped them barely cross the 150-run mark.
In reply, CSK also faced an early wobble, but an unbeaten 114-run stand between Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma helped them complete the double over DC in IPL 2026.
Speaking to the broadcasters, Axar Patel said, “Given how the pitch played in the first innings, I felt 155 was a competitive score. But considering we had an extra batter, we were probably 10-15 runs short. The pitch may have gotten slightly better, but I still felt there was something in the surface. The difference was having a set batter at the crease- once someone gets in, it feels easier, but the pitch still had its challenges.”Â
DC, with four losses in their last five matches, will next face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home on Friday, May 8th. DC now have their backs against the wall. They have to win all their games to stay in contention. They have to first learn how to play well at home and get the pitch reading right. That has been the biggest bane for them, as away from home, they are doing decently. It was at home when they suffered their first loss, and the decline began. So, serious tactical issues for them.
Out of the four remaining games, DC has KKR twice, with the KKR-DC game scheduled as the last league game of this season. They also have to play MI in Wankhede in one of the remaining games. So, the road ahead is tough. One needs to take it one match at a time, and so DC’s next aim will be to start winning at home. So, the KKR game is crucial for them and for KKR, as the Knights too can get to a maximum of 17 points.
So, we can say Friday night’s game in New Delhi will be a do-or-die clash for both teams. Which team will come out on top? Only time will tell.
Also Read: DC vs CSK: Sanju Samson’s Masterclass Helps CSK Upstage DC