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DC's Axar Patel Rues Missed Chances After Thrilling 1-Run Loss to GT

Delhi Capitals suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat to Gujarat Titans in a high-scoring IPL thriller. Captain Axar Patel acknowledged his team could have played smarter cricket during the chase of 211 runs. Despite a brilliant 92 from opener KL Rahul and a late cameo from David Miller, DC fell agonizingly short on the final ball. The result places DC fourth in the table while GT moves up to sixth.

Key Points: Axar Patel: DC Could Have Played Smarter in 1-Run Loss to GT

  • DC lost by 1 run chasing 211
  • KL Rahul scored 92 for DC
  • GT's Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Jos Buttler hit fifties
  • Match ended with a run-out on final ball
2 min read

"We could have played smarter": DC captain Axar Patel after defeat against GT

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel reflects on a narrow defeat to Gujarat Titans, praising KL Rahul's knock but admitting his team needed smarter cricket.

"In the chase, we could have played smarter. - Axar Patel"

New Delhi, April 9

Delhi Capitals suffered a one-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans in match 14 of the Indian Premier League held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, and their skipper Axar Patel acknowledged that his side could have played smarter while chasing the 211-run target.

A sensational 92 from KL Rahul and a valiant effort from David Miller gave DC their first win and handed over DC's first defeat of the season.

Speaking during the post-match presentation, Patel said, "I think both teams played very good, Very good cricket. In this type of close game, you can point out anything. So I think, we played very good cricket. In a close chase, in a close game, you can point out a lot of things. But I think in the chase, we could have played smarter. The crucial time at which the wickets fell, I think if that hadn't happened, we could have finished the chase earlier."

DC opted to bowl first, and knocks from skipper Shubman Gill (70 in 45 balls, with four boundaries and five sixes), Washington Sundar (55 in 32 balls, with six fours and two sixes) and Jos Buttler (52 in 27 balls, with three fours and five sixes) took GT to 210/4.

While chasing, DC opener KL Rahul played a 92-run knock in 52 balls, with 11 fours and four sixes. Knocks from Pathum Nissanka (41 in 24 balls, with six fours and a six) and David Miller (41* in 20 balls, with three fours and three sixes) took Delhi close.

Speaking about KL Rahul, the DC skipper said, "KL played a very good innings. The way the power play was going, after that, he kept the momentum going. When the wickets were falling, he kept the momentum going from one side. He did not let the run-rate go down. So I think it was very good batting. I think we are playing good cricket, and yes, we will finish in the next match."

The match followed a nail-biting finish. Miller missed a single on the penultimate ball of the last over during the chase, leaving two needed in one. He missed the final ball, and Kuldeep got run out by Buttler while stealing a single.

DC is standing at fourth spot in the table with two wins and a loss, while GT has come to sixth spot with a win and two losses.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, what a match! Both teams gave it their all. KL Rahul's innings was a masterclass. But I have to agree with the captain's assessment - DC's middle order collapsed at the worst possible time. They had the game in hand.
A
Aditya G
Yaar, 211 is a big total but very chaseable on that Kotla pitch. The problem was after Rahul got out, there was too much pressure on Miller. Where was the support from the other Indian batters? Need to fix this before the next game.
P
Priyanka N
Respect to Axar for taking responsibility. Many captains would just blame luck. It shows good leadership. The team is playing positive cricket, just one bad over cost them. They'll bounce back. 💪
M
Michael C
The bowling let them down first. 210 is 15-20 runs too many. While the chase was brave, the bowlers need to reflect. Sundar and Buttler were given too much freedom in the middle overs. That's where the match was lost, not just the last over.
K
Kriti O
Such an entertaining IPL season already! Every match is going down to the wire. Feel for DC fans, but what a game for neutrals. Gill's captaincy was also quite sharp in those final moments.

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