New Delhi, April 28: Axar Patel, captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC), described his team’s all-out score of 75 against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as ‘unfortunate.’ He also pointed to the inability to defend a total of 264 runs in the previous match against Punjab Kings as a psychological factor contributing to this loss.
In a post-match press conference, Axar stated, “I believe that the hesitation from not defending a big total in the last match affected our performance today. No batsman was able to settle in. It wasn’t as if anyone got set. We lost wickets in just one or two balls. We lost six wickets in 15-16 balls. I think it was just bad luck; you have to forget this day and move on.”
He further explained, “If you look at the first over, there was swing. After the second ball bowled by Chamira went for a boundary, the swing disappeared, and the game changed. When you score 60-70 runs in the first innings, bowlers come in with less confidence, and that thought lingers in their minds. Even if you motivate yourself, you still feel that the score is too low. Kyle (Jamieson) was getting swing in the first over, but after that boundary, the situation changed. I don’t think our bowlers did anything wrong. The way we batted, I would call it unfortunate. We cannot blame the bowlers.”
Sahil Parekh made his debut in this match but was bowled out on the second ball bowled by Bhuvneshwar. Defending Parekh, Axar said, “The reason for giving him a chance was to maintain a left-right combination at the top, as both our openers are right-handed. We wanted to use that option. Additionally, with the way he has been practicing and performing in nets and practice matches, we felt he deserved a chance. It was his first match, and he got out early. I can’t form an opinion on him just yet. We believe he has the potential to do something special and can perform well for Delhi in the long run.”
Parekh replaced Pathum Nissanka in the lineup.
Axar emphasized, “As a player, it is your responsibility to prepare well for IPL or international cricket. My preparation is that whenever I go to play cricket—be it international, IPL, or domestic—I ensure I am well-prepared, as you know your strengths and weaknesses.”
He added, “I don’t think players who haven’t played international cricket focus solely on hitting big shots, as we have also held camps after the IPL. We did this in Surat, Hyderabad, and Delhi. Now, our team is in Dubai as well. We take those players along and give them opportunities to stay connected with cricket—whether they play domestic cricket or not. Whenever they get a break, we arrange for their preparation. I believe uncapped players should focus on the basics. If your basics are strong, you can hit range shots on your own.”
Regarding potential changes in the team for upcoming matches, Axar said, “If you look at the last eight matches, this is the first time we have played poorly or our team has completely fallen apart. I don’t think making too many changes will yield good results. It’s essential to maintain a positive mindset and be mentally prepared. There won’t be many changes in the team. However, it is crucial to stay mentally stable and move forward together. If you make too many changes, you won’t get good results.”
Axar concluded, “You have to forget the past and approach each day with full focus and preparation. You can’t think you will win easily just by stepping onto the field. You must concentrate fully and be precise. I believe we need to follow our preparation and processes in the next six matches, as anything can change at any time.”
On the disappointment of fans after the poor performance, Axar said, “If fans are disappointed, the players are equally disappointed. Losing after so much hard work is very disheartening because we don’t play to lose. I think this is the time for fans to support the players. It shouldn’t be that you only support us when we win, as players feel a bit down after such losses. Whether we win or lose, your support should remain consistent. The most important thing is that you are supporting a team. Keep doing that and maintain your trust and faith in the team.”
Patel added, “As a captain, I trust my team, and it is essential to maintain that trust. I have many responsibilities—not just towards the players, but also towards the support staff and team owners. You have to work with them and inspire them. Therefore, my core principle is to focus on what you can control.”
He stated, “I will motivate the players this way—you have two options: either you can point fingers at someone, thinking the batsman didn’t do anything, or the bowler didn’t do anything. You can make excuses, or as a team, you can stand together and fight through the remaining six matches, facing the results together without any worries.”
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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