Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel indirectly blamed the team's bowling unit after losing an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Axar believes that bowlers conceded 15-20 extra runs during the powerplay, and that cost them the match.
However, Axar also backed bowlers for picking quick wickets after the powerplay. KKR smashed 79 runs in the powerplay, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz's wicket. After the powerplay, the DC bowlers picked up five wickets in the next 10 overs. KRR were 174-5 as Chameera picked up Angkrish Raghuvanshi's wicket. KKR managed to score 204/9 in 20 overs.
"I think how the wicket was and how we bowled in the powerplay, we gave away 15-20 runs too many. We also lost a few wickets in a soft manner. The positive was how we restricted them after the powerplay, coming to the batting, even though few batters failed, 2-3 of us contributed and took it so close" said Axar Patel in post match conference.
DC captain Axar also revealed that he was hoping Vipraj and Ashutosh would guide the side to a win, just like in their opener against Lucknow Super Giants.
"When Vipraj was batting there was hope, if Ashutosh was there then they could have repeated the first game. My skin got peeled off as I dived on the practice wickets to stop the ball, but the good thing is there are 3-4 days break and hopefully I will be able to recover" added Axar Patel.
This was DC's second consecutive loss in their home ground, the franchise is slipped to number four with six wins in 10 outings of the tournament. DC will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their upcoming clash scheduled to take place at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.