Axar Patel Faces Challenges as Delhi Capitals Captain in IPL 2026
The season has become increasingly tough for Axar Patel as he leads the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. Following a disappointing loss, the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs are fading. Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that Axar’s responsibilities as captain and all-rounder may be taking a toll on his personal performance.
In their latest match against the Chennai Super Kings at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals scored only 155 runs, which CSK successfully chased down, thanks to an impressive unbeaten 87 from Sanju Samson. Pathan, speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Champions Waali Commentary,’ noted that Axar seems overwhelmed trying to juggle his leadership role with his bowling and batting duties.
“Whenever a team struggles, the captain is often the first one looked at,” Pathan stated. He feels Axar has been holding back in his bowling, which could be a result of the pressures of captaincy. He recalled a game against RCB, where Axar bowled later in the innings when he could have made an earlier impact.
Pathan highlighted Axar’s declining form with the bat as well. “An all-rounder has to manage various aspects, and it can get overwhelming. He needs to focus on his own performance while also leading the team,” Pathan explained.
It has been a rough season for Axar at a time when Delhi Capitals needed him to shine. The campaign began with promise but has since spiraled into confusion over tactics and inconsistent player selections.
Is Axar Underperforming Because of His Captaincy?
One of the main discussions around Axar’s captaincy has been his decision-making with the ball. Experts, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Aaron Finch, have previously questioned why Axar hasn’t been more aggressive in key moments of the game. Pathan echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Axar may be focusing too much on supporting his teammates instead of using his own talents effectively.
The statistics tell a concerning story. In ten matches this season, Axar has picked up only nine wickets at an economy rate of 8.25. His batting has been even less impressive, with just 33 runs in seven innings and only one score in double digits. The pressure to excel in multiple roles is clearly weighing heavily on him.
What’s Going Wrong for Delhi Capitals?
Delhi Capitals have faced numerous challenges this season, which seem to go beyond just one or two issues. The team has struggled to settle on combinations, roles, and an overall game strategy. In the match against CSK, these problems were evident again, as they chose to bat first despite predictions of dew later in the game, leading to another lackluster performance in the middle order.
The continued choice of players like Karun Nair at No. 3 has drawn criticism, while promising talents like Abishek Porel have bounced in and out of the lineup. Overall, the team’s management of tactics, field placements, and bowling changes often appears reactive rather than strategic.
With four losses in their last five matches, Delhi Capitals find themselves in seventh place on the points table, with only eight points from ten games. While their hopes for the playoffs aren’t completely over, they are running out of room for mistakes as they face several teams ahead of them in the standings.
