'Axar Patel has done nothing in ages': Srikkanth unloads on DC in 'gone case' rant after batting meltdown vs RCB

Delhi Capitals were folded for just 75 runs in 16.3 overs on Monday. RCB chased it down in 6.3 overs

Published on: Apr 28, 2026, 16:37:12 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Former BCCI selector Kris Srikkanth unloaded on Delhi Capitals after the IPL side suffered a horror batting collapse in the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where they were folded for just 75 runs. RCB chased down the total in just 6.3 overs to inflict a third straight loss for Delhi.

Delhi Capitals' Axar Patel looks dejected and walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket (REUTERS)

Up against Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, who extracted swing and bounce off the Delhi track, the Capitals' top six collapsed for just seven runs inside the powerplay, which included three dismissals for ducks. Delhi Capitals finished the powerplay on 13 for six - the lowest ever score by a team in IPL history in the first six overs of a match.

Delhi were eventually bundled for 75 runs in 16.3 overs - their third-lowest score in history and for the second-lowest total in Delhi in the IPL. The defending champions chased it down in just 39 balls for the loss of just one wicket.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth went on a rant against each of the Delhi batters who were in the line-up, pointing towards their lack of consistency in the IPL 2026 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 early on. If he gets set after attacking spin, then he can manage pacers. (David) Miller has also done nothing impactful," he said.

Srikkanth did not just stop there. He also criticised Delhi captain Axar Patel, claiming that he has failed to perform either as batter, bowler or captain in 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 produced something decisive with bat or ball? How can the team progress if this continues?"

Axar has scored just 31 runs so far in the IPL 2026, and picked up seven wickets in eight matches.

Delhi started off the season on a great note, winning both their opening two matches before losing a close game against the Gujarat Titans. Delhi never quite recovered from that loss. They were defeated by Chennai Super Kings next, before recovering briefly to get the better of the RCB in Bengaluru, but then stuttered to three losses in a row to stand seventh in the points table.

They will next face the Rajasthan Royals on May 1 in Jaipur.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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