New Delhi: The Delhi Capitals, under the leadership of Axar Patel, faced a significant defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in match 39 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). The match took place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where Delhi Capitals batted first, hoping to deliver a strong performance with the bat.
However, the RCB bowling attack, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood, dismantled Delhi’s batting lineup, reducing them to a mere 9-6 within the first seven overs. The hosts struggled throughout, ultimately posting a total of just 75 runs in their innings.
In response, the defending champions chased down the target efficiently, completing the task in just 6.3 overs and winning by nine wickets. This defeat severely impacted Delhi Capitals’ net run rate. Following the match, former India cricketer Piyush Chawla offered advice to the struggling team.
Chawla emphasized the importance of remaining calm, acknowledging the anxiety that typically surrounds the Delhi Capitals, particularly given their past challenges. “Not the time to panic. There will be some panic around for sure, knowing the history of Delhi Capitals. But that’s not the right time [for it] now,” he stated on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. He urged the team to regroup and focus on positive play, highlighting that their performance in the tournament hadn’t changed drastically in a short time.
Moreover, Chawla pointed out that the two points lost in this match could be crucial in the later stages of the tournament. He stressed the importance of moving forward and concentrating on winning as many matches as possible to enhance their chances of playoff qualification. “Later, in the business end of the tournament, when they look back at it, those two points will definitely come to haunt them if they are not qualifying [for the playoffs],” he remarked. Chawla concluded by underscoring the need for a positive environment in the dressing room, which plays a significant role in the team’s performance.
