Axar Patel OUT OF IPL? Delhi Capitals captain retired hurt against RCB in IPL 2026 clash

Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel was sent ahead of David Miller as the Capitals chased stability in a competitive chase against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru; however, the skipper was taken off the field following some visible discomfort.

The Delhi Capitals looked to stabilize their innings after the dismissal of opening batter KL Rahul, who was dismissed following a promising half-century. The skipper Axar Patel came in to bat over David Miller, as the management felt that the veteran Protea would be crucial in the death overs.

The Delhi Capitals are looking for their third win in the season and would also be eyeing the fourth spot in the points table. RCB, on the other hand, despite defending a low score, have nailed its yorkers and have controlled the innings exceptionally in the death overs.

Axar Patel leaves the field after a freak injury against RCB

The left-handed batter was sent in ahead of Miller, and he handled the spinners well through those crucial middle overs, not letting the match slip away with the fall of wickets. However, he struggled with cramps in his legs and could not convert the singles into doubles.

After having battled with the complexes, Axar had to walk out of the ground in the 17th over of the game. David Miller came into the field as his replacement. He declared himself retired hurt, while Ashutosh Sharma, the physio, and later Krunal Pandya from RCB joined to help him off the field.

Some heartwarming moments on the field between the two Indian cricketers, Krunal Pandya and Axar Patel, as the former plays for RCB, helping the DC skipper, who also responds with a smile.

Axar Patel is walking off the field due to an injury. 😟🏏#RCBvsDC pic.twitter.com/HpAKzrpSzn

— Novix (@NovixGen) April 18, 2026

David Miller guides Delhi Capitals to a promising win

Delhi Capitals would have had the best record with 4 wins already had it not been for that one wrong call from David Miller against the Gujarat Titans. They lost the game against the Titans by just 1 run, after Miller denied a single to Kuldeep Yadav when DC needed 2 off just 2 balls.

However, he had the burden of losing that game for the Capitals, but then went on to storm in a stunning contest against the Royal Challengers. With just 13 runs needed from just 4 balls, he hit Romario Shepherd for a huge six over the mid-wicket boundary.

The second ball sailed over the offside boundary as Miller played a signature shot over the extra cover region. Two sixes and it was over for the Challengers. Miller didn't lose his nerve this time and finished the chase with a boundary.

Delhi Capitals end RCB's winning streak at home

Delhi Capitals win the match by 6 wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the den for the Red Devils. The defending champions, RCB, had not lost any of their home matches in the season and had managed three wins at this venue this season.

However, this match was the 100th match for the Royal Challengers at their home ground, as they became the first side to have etched their names into the history books. The Capitals ended their winning streak at their home ground in this season of the competition.

ALSO READ: SRH vs CSK Impact Players Today: Toss Report, Playing XIs, Latest Updates IPL 2026 Match 27