Key Points

Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes took a hit after a heavy 10-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans. Skipper Axar Patel admitted their fielding and powerplay bowling must improve despite a competitive batting performance. Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan's unbeaten 205-run partnership crushed DC's bowling attack. GT's dominant win secured their playoff spot while DC's home struggles continued.

Key Points: Axar Patel Admits DC Fielding and Powerplay Bowling Need Improvement

  • DC suffers 10-wicket loss to GT at home
  • Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan dominate with 205-run partnership
  • Axar Patel acknowledges batting positives but highlights bowling flaws
  • GT secures playoff spot while DC struggles with home form
3 min read

Fielding and powerplay bowling need to improve...: DC skipper Axar after loss to GT

DC skipper Axar Patel reflects on GT loss, praises Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan while highlighting fielding and powerplay bowling concerns.

"Fielding and bowling in the powerplay needs to improve. – Axar Patel"

New Delhi, May 18

Following his side's loss to Gujarat Titans (GT), Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel hailed his opponents for their batting performance and added that the ball was coming nicely on the bat in the second innings.

Once invincible during the league stage with five successive wins to start off the competition, DC's journey to playoffs became even more tougher as they succumbed to a 10-wicket loss to GT at their home arena of Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking after the game in the post-match presentation, Axar said, "The way they batted was excellent. The wicket also got better as the game went on. We felt we had a par score. Got a good finish, KL (Rahul) batted well. Our bowlers tried well but did not get the win. The way we batted was a positive given the last couple of games. Fielding and bowling in the powerplay needs to improve. The ball came on nicely in the second innings. It (ball) did not stick in the pitch like it did in the first innings. They didn't lose wickets, which made it easy as well."

DC's home record has been poor as compared to their away record. At home, they have won just one game via Super Over, losing the other four. Away from home, they have won five, lost just one and one match ended in a no result.

Coming to the match, GT won the toss and opted to field first.

After DC lost Faf Du Plessis early, a 90-run stand between KL Rahul and Abishek Porel (30 in 19 balls, with a four and three sixes) and cameos from skipper Axar Patel (25 in 16 balls, with two fours and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (21* in 10 balls, with two sixes) helped DC reach 199/3.

Sai Kishore, Prasidh Krishna and Arshad Khan got a wicket each.

However, DC's bowling struggled against ultra-consistent Shubman Gill (93* in 53 balls, with three fours and seven sixes) and Sai Sudharsan (108* in just 61 balls, with 12 fours and four sixes). They put on a dominant 205 run partnership, helping GT win with an over left.

Sai was given the 'Player of the Match' award.

With this win, GT have made it to the playoffs, with nine wins and three losses, giving them 18 points. DC is in the fifth spot, with six wins and five losses. One of their matches ended in a no result. They have 13 points.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
DC's bowling was toothless today! How can you let GT chase 200 without losing a single wicket? 😡 Fielding was also below par - dropped catches cost us dearly. Axar needs to take responsibility as captain.
P
Priya M.
Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan were just too good today! 🔥 Sometimes you just have to appreciate great batting rather than blaming our bowlers. DC batted well too - 199 is a good total on most days.
A
Amit S.
Our home record is really worrying. How can we be so strong away but struggle so much in Delhi? The pitch did get better but that's no excuse for such poor bowling. Need to sort this out before next season!
N
Neha T.
KL Rahul's innings was class! But disappointed with DC's bowling attack - they looked completely clueless against Gill and Sudharsan. Maybe time to rethink our bowling strategy in the powerplay overs.
S
Sanjay P.
As a DC fan, this was painful to watch. But credit where it's due - GT batted like champions today. Our boys need to learn from this and come back stronger. Playoffs are still possible if we win remaining matches! 💪
M
Meena R.
The difference was DC didn't have a single bowler who could trouble GT batsmen. While GT had Sai Kishore who controlled the middle overs well. Our bowling department needs serious investment next auction!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50