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If Delhi Capitals had lost this match against Punjab Kings, they would have been directly eliminated, but they avoided elimination by registering one of the most important wins. Captain Akshar Patel really led from the front with the bat.
Delhi Capitals had a bad start to the season in the IPL; However, they were unable to advance to the top spot due to their struggles throughout the season. The Capitals are seventh in the points table with just five wins in the season.
The Axar Patel-led team’s performance has been poor, especially with the bat. However, this time, they have turned the tables with stellar performances and are still competing for a playoff spot in IPL 2026.
Delhi Capitals chase record target against PBKS in IPL 2026
In this match played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala, Delhi Capitals was successful in chasing a big target. Punjab Kings was successful in scoring 210 runs on the difficult pitch of Dharamshala, which was providing a lot of help to the fast bowlers.
Delhi failed to make a bad start to the season and lost four early wickets, three of which fell in the powerplay. However, after not being handed the ball, Axar Patel played a brilliant innings with the bat.
The Capitals supported David Miller, and he also scored another half-century in the season, and both helped them chase a total of 200+, making it the highest target in Dharamsala. Punjab Kings lost their fourth consecutive match of the season.
Madhav Tiwary performs POTM in first IPL performance of 2026
Madhav Tiwary is a middle-order batsman and was included in the eleven to support the Delhi Capitals batting order. However, despite being a part-timer, Axar Patel backed him to bowl all four overs.
He bowled four overs as the fifth bowling option for the Capitals. Having bowled all the overs, he controlled the flow of runs to just 10 and also managed to dismiss two batsmen, including two set batsmen, Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, giving him vital breakthroughs.
He played a brilliant inning of 18 runs in just 8 balls and hit two fours and a sky-high six at a strike rate of 225, which helped in chasing the runs.
I have been saying that we are missing important moments – Akshar Patel
On Delhi’s win, Axar Patel said, “Since last time I have been saying that we are losing important moments. We are a good team, playing good cricket but are not winning those important moments. We are really happy with the way we played and hopefully we will continue to play like this.”
“In the first 3-4 overs we went to 60 and we took things back. The way Madhav and Mukesh bowled in the middle overs were winning moments. Even in batting, the way Miller, Ashutosh and Madhav batted after I got out was brilliant.
“The ball was swinging and seaming, we didn’t bowl in the right areas in the first 3-4 overs, but it was doing some of the right stuff, so I didn’t use the spin. You always have a back-up plan,” the DC skipper said.
Axar Patel looked happy with his batting performance, “I am coming up the order but today it was good. Luck changed, I was dropped and that is also what matters. The kind of cricket we are playing and the bench strength we have, the future is in good hands. It is a good sign for the youngsters to stand out in such circumstances.”
ALSO READ: “Thank you management”: Madhav Tiwary thanks DC management after PBKS vs POTM performance in IPL 2026
