Axar Patel's Batting "Complete Letdown" in IPL 2026, Says R Ashwin After DC Loss to CSK

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin launched a sharp criticism of Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel following the team’s defeat against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, questioning both his batting form and tactical decisions during the match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Ashwin said Axar’s performances with the bat this season have been a “complete letdown” and argued that Delhi made crucial errors after choosing to bat first on a challenging surface affected by rain and overcast conditions.

Delhi Capitals struggled throughout their innings on a slow and difficult pitch, eventually managing only 155 for seven against Chennai Super Kings. The surface offered considerable assistance to spin bowlers, with several deliveries holding up and making strokeplay difficult for batters. Despite the conditions favouring bowlers early in the game, Delhi opted to bat first after winning the toss, a decision Ashwin strongly criticised during comments made on his YouTube channel after the match.

Ashwin pointed out that Delhi had experienced rainfall for two consecutive days, including on match day, meaning the pitch had remained under covers for an extended period. According to him, the conditions clearly suggested that bowling first would have been the better tactical option. He argued that the team effectively “gave away the game” to Chennai by choosing to set a target instead of exploiting early bowling assistance available under cloudy conditions and on a damp surface.

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The former spinner also questioned Axar Patel’s overall impact this season, particularly with the bat. Retained by Delhi Capitals for Rs 16.50 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, Axar has managed only 33 runs and nine wickets in 10 matches so far. Ashwin acknowledged that Axar’s bowling performances had been reasonable but said his batting contributions had failed to justify expectations from a senior player and captain in a high-pressure campaign.

Chennai Super Kings comfortably chased down the modest target thanks largely to an unbeaten 87-run knock from Sanju Samson, who anchored the innings with confidence and composure. CSK completed the chase in just 17.3 overs, handing Delhi Capitals their sixth defeat of the season and deepening concerns over the team’s consistency. Delhi’s batting struggles at home have become a recurring issue during the tournament, particularly on slower pitches where the middle order has repeatedly failed to adapt.

Ashwin further suggested that Delhi Capitals missed tactical opportunities in team selection and match preparation. He said the side could have explored greater impact from left-handed options like Abishek Porel and stressed the importance of captains building stronger communication with pitch curators to better understand playing conditions before making toss decisions. With the IPL 2026 season entering a decisive stage, Delhi Capitals now face mounting pressure to recover quickly and revive their playoff hopes after another disappointing performance.

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