Delhi Capitals conceded their highest total of IPL 2026, 242 runs, driven by a sensational unbeaten 135 from Abhishek Sharma, who batted for the entire 20 overs. Following the defeat, former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin criticized captain Axar Patel for questionable decisions during the match.
Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their strong run with a resounding 47-run win, fueled by Abhishek’s 68-ball masterclass, which included 10 fours and 10 sixes. He was supported by Travis Head (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* off 13), helping SRH post a daunting 242/2.
In response, Delhi Capitals showed promise early on through a partnership between KL Rahul (37) and Nitish Rana (57) but lost momentum after their dismissals. Eshan Malinga starred in the ball, taking 4/32, as DC were restricted to 195/9.
Ashwin questions key tactical call
Ashwin took particular issue with Delhi’s bowling strategy, highlighting the overuse of part-time bowler Nitish Rana. Rana bowled his full quota of four overs, conceding 55 runs, while frontline spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowled just two overs each.
Kuldeep returned figures of 1/23 in his two overs, while Axar conceded 30 runs without taking a wicket.
“In DC’s bowling attack, they have Axar Patel, Kuldeep, Lungi, Mukesh and Natarajan. But the first player to complete his quota of 4 overs was Nitish Rana, and that’s where they lost the match. It has to be the biggest mistake so far,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat.
Ashwin further questioned the logic behind relying on a part-time option despite having a full set of specialist bowlers.“Conceding 50 runs in four overs is no big deal, but if you have five regular bowlers, why did you choose a part-time job?” he added.
The defeat pushed Delhi Capitals to fifth place in the standings, while Sunrisers Hyderabad moved up to third place, continuing their upward momentum in IPL 2026.