Delhi Capitals told to ‘set their house in order’ for IPL 2027 as Axar Patel faces ‘uninspiring’ captaincy tag after KKR

The continued failure to reach the knockout stage has raised questions around Axar Patel's leadership and the team’s direction.

Updated on: May 9, 2026, 07:29:30 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Delhi Capitals’ IPL 2026 campaign has hit a major roadblock after a big loss to Kolkata Knight Riders, with the team now on the brink of elimination after losing five of their last six matches. What began as a promising season has steadily unravelled into another disappointing run for the franchise, which is still chasing its first IPL title despite featuring in every edition since the league’s inception. The latest slump has once again exposed familiar issues around consistency, execution under pressure, and squad balance. With the playoffs slipping out of reach, DC are left staring at uncomfortable questions about their direction and decision-making. As the season nears its end, attention is already shifting towards rebuilding, with the franchise expected to reassess plans, roles, and personnel ahead of the next campaign.

Axar Patel’s captaincy has come under scrutiny. (REUTERS)

Meanwhile, Axar Patel’s captaincy has come under scrutiny. Since taking over last season, he has not been able to guide the side into the playoffs, and the same outcome now looks likely this year as well. The continued failure to reach the knockout stage has raised questions around his leadership and the team’s direction. With results not going their way, DC are once again left facing familiar concerns about consistency and decision-making, as another season risks ending without a playoff berth.

Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh took a sharp swipe at Axar's captaincy, in a strongly worded post, he questioned the team’s direction and called for a clearer long-term leadership vision as DC continue to search for stability at the top.

"Axar Patel as a captain doesn’t inspire too much confidence. His tactics, on most of the occasions have often been questionable and inexplicable. High time the Delhi capitals set their house in order, with a leader for the future #IPL2026," Dodda Ganesh wrote on X.

He didn't stop there and took another dig after DC lost the match and wrote, “Good bye, Delhi capitals. Keep experimenting in the next three games too. It might be helpful for the next season #IPL2026.”

DC thrashed by KKR

DC endured a miserable outing at home, managing only 142/8, which Kolkata Knight Riders chased down in just 14.2 overs, powered by a blistering unbeaten 100 from Finn Allen and his destructive stand with Cameron Green (33 not out) as the visitors tore apart the bowling attack.

With just eight points from 11 matches, DC sit eighth on the table and are struggling to stay alive in the playoff race. KKR, meanwhile, have kept their hopes flickering with a late surge, climbing to seventh with nine points from 10 games. However, their path to the knockouts remains far from straightforward, with both teams needing near-perfect finishes to stay in contention as the league stage heads into its final stretch.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
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.Read More

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