197/5 (19.2)
CR : 10.19
193/8 (20.0)
CR : 9.65
Delhi Capitals won by 5 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Mitchell Starc
4/40
Super Sixes of the Match: Riyan Parag (5 Sixes)
Super Fours of the Match: Abishek Porel (7 Fours)
Most Dot Balls in the Match: Lungi Ngidi (15 Dot Balls)
Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals Captain): "[On winning at home after losing 5] Obviously, when you win at home, it feels special. Last match at home, it is that much more special. Fans came to support us and to win in front of them, it feels really good.
[What better the team did today?] I think we were losing wickets in cluster. Today, if you see, openers got to a start and then the middle order give us a good finish. Now when we are losing a wicket, we are getting partnerships, and finishing the game in the end.
[On comeback with the ball] In a lot games this season, we have come back well. If the powerplay didn't go our way, we have done well in the middle overs. Even in the timeout we talk about that we can make a comeback. That three-over wicket, and six overs after that it was a class effort from us. That youngster who changed the momentum for us, so yeah, I think I am happy with the bowling unit. Even when runs were going on, they stick to their plans.
[On chat with Mitchell Starc] We were talking about what fields we can set for the new batters. What he's thinking, what fields he want so that we can be on the same page.
[On fielding inside the circle next time] It was good that I was in the deep. That catch came my way and I took it. I am very happy."
[What better the team did today?] I think we were losing wickets in cluster. Today, if you see, openers got to a start and then the middle order give us a good finish. Now when we are losing a wicket, we are getting partnerships, and finishing the game in the end.
[On comeback with the ball] In a lot games this season, we have come back well. If the powerplay didn't go our way, we have done well in the middle overs. Even in the timeout we talk about that we can make a comeback. That three-over wicket, and six overs after that it was a class effort from us. That youngster who changed the momentum for us, so yeah, I think I am happy with the bowling unit. Even when runs were going on, they stick to their plans.
[On chat with Mitchell Starc] We were talking about what fields we can set for the new batters. What he's thinking, what fields he want so that we can be on the same page.
[On fielding inside the circle next time] It was good that I was in the deep. That catch came my way and I took it. I am very happy."
Axar Patel in IPL 2026:
First 8 matches: 44 runs at an average of 6.28, SR 74.57
Last 2 matches: 90 runs off 48 balls, SR 187.5
First 8 matches: 44 runs at an average of 6.28, SR 74.57
Last 2 matches: 90 runs off 48 balls, SR 187.5
Player of the Match: Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc (POTM): "Yeah, it's nice to pick the POTM award and be among the wickets. To get the two points and finish off our home fixtures with a win is always nice.
(On adjustments made to bowl on slower surfaces) Yeah, I mean that’s the key — adjusting as quickly as you can and giving the other team as little as possible, particularly here where the boundaries aren’t that big and there’s not too much on offer for the bowlers. There was probably a little bit of reverse swing in there and obviously the change of pace and slower balls. I think Lungi Ngidi bowled fantastically as well. Those were the adjustments we had to make after the powerplay. As I said, we didn’t bowl too badly in the powerplay, but with the hard ball and only two fielders out, it can fly around a little bit. So I thought we adjusted really well after the powerplay and it was a total we felt we could defend.
(On thinking about his spell post-match) Yeah, I guess that’s the beauty of T20 cricket. Things happen and games come around so quickly that you can’t really dwell too much if things haven’t gone the way you wanted. Likewise, you can’t get too high when things are going fantastically. So I think the key is staying pretty level. As bowlers, you’ve got to put the ego aside a lot of the time because the scores can get a bit inflated. But yeah, as I said, it’s a good one to finish on tonight for the group and certainly for our side of the home fixtures as well.
(On DC's bowling group) Yeah, there’s plenty of talent there obviously. We’ve got some good experience with the overseas players, and a lot of the local guys have played or been around the IPL for a number of years as well. Likewise, we’ve seen some young talent come through — not only in our group but across the IPL every year — and this year’s no different. So I think it’s only a positive to see those young guys come in and perform at this stage, playing against international players who’ve played a lot of cricket. So yeah, it’s no different and I’m sure it’ll continue that way through this season as well.”
(On adjustments made to bowl on slower surfaces) Yeah, I mean that’s the key — adjusting as quickly as you can and giving the other team as little as possible, particularly here where the boundaries aren’t that big and there’s not too much on offer for the bowlers. There was probably a little bit of reverse swing in there and obviously the change of pace and slower balls. I think Lungi Ngidi bowled fantastically as well. Those were the adjustments we had to make after the powerplay. As I said, we didn’t bowl too badly in the powerplay, but with the hard ball and only two fielders out, it can fly around a little bit. So I thought we adjusted really well after the powerplay and it was a total we felt we could defend.
(On thinking about his spell post-match) Yeah, I guess that’s the beauty of T20 cricket. Things happen and games come around so quickly that you can’t really dwell too much if things haven’t gone the way you wanted. Likewise, you can’t get too high when things are going fantastically. So I think the key is staying pretty level. As bowlers, you’ve got to put the ego aside a lot of the time because the scores can get a bit inflated. But yeah, as I said, it’s a good one to finish on tonight for the group and certainly for our side of the home fixtures as well.
(On DC's bowling group) Yeah, there’s plenty of talent there obviously. We’ve got some good experience with the overseas players, and a lot of the local guys have played or been around the IPL for a number of years as well. Likewise, we’ve seen some young talent come through — not only in our group but across the IPL every year — and this year’s no different. So I think it’s only a positive to see those young guys come in and perform at this stage, playing against international players who’ve played a lot of cricket. So yeah, it’s no different and I’m sure it’ll continue that way through this season as well.”
Phew! Time to say goodbye to all the cricketing fans after a crazy doubleheader on Sunday in the IPL 2026. In the afternoon fixture, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru thumped Punjab Kings in a rematch of the 2025 final and became the first to qualify for the playoffs. Now, Delhi Capitals keep themselves alive with a crucial win over Rajasthan Royals, making the race to the playoffs even more interesting.
Tomorrow, on Monday, we have a vital fixture with Chennai Super Kings hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk. 2 points for CSK will not only get them sneaking into the top four but also confirm RCB's finish in the top two. On the other hand, if SRH win, they will get through to the playoffs along with Gujarat Titans, leaving only one spot wide open.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh, Akshay Bhide, and Mohammad Anab, scorers Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
Tomorrow, on Monday, we have a vital fixture with Chennai Super Kings hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk. 2 points for CSK will not only get them sneaking into the top four but also confirm RCB's finish in the top two. On the other hand, if SRH win, they will get through to the playoffs along with Gujarat Titans, leaving only one spot wide open.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh, Akshay Bhide, and Mohammad Anab, scorers Manish Bishnoi and Paras Yadav and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!