Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out at Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel over his poor run this season, saying he has failed to deliver with both bat and ball and has never really lived up to expectations since his early days. His comments come at a time when DC are under severe pressure after a shocking collapse against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday night, where they were bundled out for just 75. The performance has put the entire batting unit under the scanner, with nothing seemingly clicking for the side at the moment. Their struggles have been ongoing, having failed to defend a massive 264 against Punjab Kings earlier, before suffering another heavy setback in the very next game. The back-to-back failures have left Delhi Capitals searching for answers in a season that is quickly slipping away from them.
Axar Patel has been going through a lean patch. (REUTERS)
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Srikkanth did not hold back in his assessment of DC skipper Axar's form, questioning his prolonged dip in impact with both bat and ball. His blunt remarks come amid growing scrutiny over Delhi’s performances this season.
"He hasn't done anything with the bat in a long time. Even as an all-rounder and captain, it's been ages since he has done anything. When was the last time he did anything deadly with bat or ball? How can the team come up if this is the case?" Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Axar has endured a tough season with both bat and ball. In 8 matches, he has scored just 31 runs at an average of 6.20 and a strike rate of 100, falling well short of expectations in the middle order. His bowling, too, has lacked its usual bite, with only 7 wickets so far and an economy rate of 8.33, reflecting a dip in control and overall impact compared to his usual standards.
“Nitish Rana is a gone case”
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Axar has endured a tough season with both bat and ball. In 8 matches, he has scored just 31 runs at an average of 6.20 and a strike rate of 100, falling well short of expectations in the middle order. His bowling, too, has lacked its usual bite, with only 7 wickets so far and an economy rate of 8.33, reflecting a dip in control and overall impact compared to his usual standards.
“Nitish Rana is a gone case”
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Continuing his sharp assessment of DC’s batting unit, Srikkanth singled out Tristan Stubbs, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi and David Miller, questioning their consistency and impact in crunch situations this season.
"It's been ages since Tristan Stubbs scored something substantial. Nitish Rana is a gone case when you bounce him. Sameer Rizvi struggles against fast or medium-fast bowling at the start of his innings. If he gets set after smashing some spinner for 20, he'll play well then even against pacers. Miller has also done nothing impactful," he added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Cricket/Axar Patel at the centre of brutal takedown as DC crisis spirals out of control: 'Been ages since he has done anything'
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