Axar Patel Says 'Dropped Catches Hurt Us' After Delhi Capitals' IPL Playoff Chances Take a Hit

Axar Patel, taking charge as captain in the absence of Rishabh Pant with a one-game suspension, rued the dropped catches as Delhi Capitals’ 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) chances took a major hit after their 47-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.

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Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks got multiple chances as they were dropped in the ninth over. Jacks and Patidar were again given lives in a matter of two overs off Khaleel and Rasikh respectively.

Patidar brought up his fifty off 29 balls, before miscuing to extra cover off Rasikh in the 13th over. Jacks was next to fall, as he hit straight to cover off Kuldeep.

In fact, Patidar (52, 32b, 3×4, 3×6) and Jacks (41, 29b, 3×4, 2×6) added 88 runs off 53 balls during a breezy third-wicket stand that eventually took RCB to 187/9 from their 20 overs.

“Dropped catches hurt us. Could’ve restricted them to 150,” Axar Patel said after the match.

The target of 188 was not insurmountable, but the Capitals’ chase descended into disarray once they lost four wickets inside 3.3 overs upfront, eventually finishing at 140, with Axar Patel 57 (39b, 5×4, 3×6) playing a lone hand.

“When you lose four wickets in powerplay, you’re always chasing the game. 160-170 would’ve been a par score,” Axar said.

“Pitch was two-paced. Some were skidding, some were holding. When your main players are run out and you lose four in powerplay, you’re chasing the game,” he added.

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Delhi Capitals’s playoff chances are slim and they need a win in their final league game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 14 to stay in the hunt. DC are now behind Bengaluru in terms of net run rate and are all but out of the race.

“Anything can happen, but haven’t thought that far ahead,” Axar said.

(With inputs from Agencies)