EX-KKR Star BLASTS at Axar Patel over Delhi Capitals' inconsistent IPL performances
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Delhi Capitals were one of the star franchises in IPL 2025 when they started the tournament with a dominating run chase. However, their campaign fell apart midway through the tournament, and they ended their campaign short of the playoffs.
The Delhi Capitals made an amazing start to IPL 2025 after having revamped their entire squad in the IPL 2025 mega-auction. They released all of their former players, including former captain Rishabh Pant, and also changed their coaching unit.
Under Axar Patel's leadership, the Delhi Capitals had many new players in their ranks. They found some of their star players in Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam; however, they suffered setbacks during the second half of the tournament and fell short of the knockouts.
Aakash Chopra points out the Delhi Capitals' biggest dilemma
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra likely pointed out the weakest limb in the Delhi Capitals side, and it's not any of their players. He rather accused the managerial errors of being one of the major reasons for the Capitals' exit from the previous edition of the PSL.
He said that a part of their fault was the chopping and changing of the players in repeated instances. Aakash Chopra also pointed out the mishandling of KL Rahul by the Delhi Capitals management.
“The success formula of teams is to hit the ground running. As soon as the first match happens, you play your best XI, and you stick with it for the longest period of time. You find that kind of consistency in trophy-winning seasons. Their challenge will be, what is their opening combination? Who are your two openers?” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
After having opined that the franchise needs to hold onto its final combination of XI players, he pointed out that they took too long to give KL Rahul the role he loves in this format of the game.
“Last time as well, they started with KL Rahul down the order, and then brought him up the order. By the time they reached the business end, they were still searching for what the right thing was. A challenge for this team would be deciding what is right as soon as the season starts,” he added.
The Indian pace contingent looks slightly 50-50- Aakash Chopra
In addition to the batting struggles, the Capitals also struggled with the ball at times. It was pointed out that T. Natarajan was injured last year; however, he will be available this time around. Though the players' form will be a concern going into this season.
“The Indian pace contingent looks slightly 50-50. It’s unclear whether they will go this way or that way. T Natarajan was injured last year. So he didn’t play much cricket. Now he has started playing, but there will be a question on his form,” he said.
It seemed true that Mukesh Kumar is a genuine wicket-taker and has proved his merit, but he can be thrashed for runs at times. There should be someone to support Mitchell Starc with the new ball.
I am really looking forward to seeing him bowl- Chopra said on Auqib Nabi's IPL debut
Delhi Capitals were very active in the mini-auction as well, as they got some very good players at a low rate. This mostly included batters like David Miller, Ben Duckett, and Nitish Rana; however, another Indian bowler remained the highlight.
Auqib Nabi, the Jammu & Kashmir pacer who won the Ranji Trophy and has had remarkable bowling figures in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, will be tested for the first time in the IPL.
“They have kept Auqib Nabi Dar. He is coming after taking more than 95 first-class wickets and doing well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and I am really looking forward to seeing him bowl, but he is untested at this level as of now. Mukesh Kumar is good, but he can leak a lot of runs,” Chopra observed.
Lungi Ngidi could be key to the Delhi Capitals' pace bowling department alongside Australian veteran Mitchell Starc. Axar Patel, Vipraj Nigam, and Kuldeep Yadav will continue as the three frontline spinners.
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