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Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has questioned Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel’s decision to complete part-time off-spinner Nitish Rana’s quota of four overs in the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Finch says that Rana bowling four overs doesn’t make sense when the two-time T20 World Cup-winning bowlers – Axar and Kuldeep Yadav – are already part of the team.
"We've been sitting there scratching our heads, haven't we?" Aaron Finch said on ESPNcricinfo's Time Out show, "Your two Indian premier spin bowlers, Axar Patel, the skipper, Kuldeep Yadav, they bowled four overs between them. A part-time offspinner in Nitish Rana has wheeled out four overs. To me that makes no sense."
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Axar introduced Rana into the attack in powerplay overs to exploit SRH opener Abhishek Sharma’s off-spin issue which was exposed in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Rana bowled an economical over upfront, conceding just six runs. Then, he was hit for three sixes by Abhishek in his next over. But, in the middle overs, Axar trusted Rana again. After a six-run over, Axar gave another over to Rana later on. He ended up getting hit for three sixes again. He conceded 55 runs from four overs as Abhishek scored an unbeaten 135, helping SRH post a mammoth total of 242/2.
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No third over for Kuldeep, Axar
Axar opted not to bowl his third over because of match-ups even after he dismissed Travis Head. Finch believes that the left-arm unorthodox spinner did not trust his ability to counter Abhishek and skipper Ishan Kishan.
"It's the responsibility of your captain, your senior player, your retained player, your best bowler, Indian bowler, he's one of your core bowlers in the Indian cricket team. That's no small bit. He's a double World Cup winner. So the fact that he doesn't trust himself to execute under pressure and to defend himself against any left-handers - as soon as a left-hander walks to the crease, not for me today, thanks. To me that says more about his attitude towards it than anything else," Finch said.
Axar ignores good record vs rampaging Abhishek
Axar had dismissed Abhishek twice in the IPL. Finch pointed out Axar's defensive mindset and the variety he possesses.
"He's got a great defensive mindset with the ball in hand too. He's not somebody that you know, if he's under pressure, he'll float one up in the slot. He defends himself. He changes angles. He uses his range, his height to his advantage as well. So even when you're thinking defensive, that's attacking against Abhishek Sharma when he's in a mood like that. You bowl a couple of decent balls and you know that something will happen," Finch explained.
Finch wants more accountability from Axar
Finch did not agree with Axar's post-match comments either. He accused Axar for not standing up to the team by opting not to bowl the third over.
"I'm looking at those comments saying, well hang on, boss, you had the chance as well but you're not willing to stand up at the moment either. So I'm no issue with mis-execution. A bowler can mis-execute for a game, for a couple of games. If their planning and their preparation and their thought process is right, I've no issues whatsoever with that. Because inevitably you can't bowl 24 perfect balls. You can't get your decision-making right all the time,” Australia’s T20 World Cup 2021-winning captain concluded.
DC face similar challenge against PBKS
DC will face a similar situation in their next game at home as Punjab Kings (PBKS) have in-form top-order left-handed batters Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly. It will be interesting to see what tactics DC conjure to get rid of the PBKS top-order which also includes Prabhsimran Singh. Also, skipper Shreyas Iyer plays spin well. So, will Axar refrain from bowling against him and operate with pacers against Iyer? In the absence of Mitchell Starc, DC think tank have a lot to ponder about ahead of April 25 clash.
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