Although Delhi Capitals (DC) bowed from Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026captain Akhar Patel ensured his side finished the campaign on a high. After DC’s convincing win by 40 runs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) The all-rounder reflected on his team’s journey at the Eden Gardens and also revealed which side is better equipped to go all the way this season.
Despite Delhi missing out on a place in the playoffs, Akhar remained honest and balanced in his assessment of the competition. The DC captain admitted that one franchise in particular looked very dangerous heading into the knockout stages.
Axar Patel announced the name of the strongest playoff side
During the post-game presentation, Axar was asked to identify the strongest among the four teams that qualified for the playoffs. He chose without much hesitation Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) As the highlight of IPL 2026. According to Axar, SRH’s high explosive batting gives them an edge over all other teams in the tournament. He noted that once their top three are gone, they are nearly impossible to catch.
“I think SRH look very strong. When they get their first three points, it’s very difficult to stop this team. So I think SRH,” Akhar said after the match.
The Delhi skipper’s praise comes as no surprise given the type of cricket Hyderabad have been playing throughout the season. Their aggressive batting approach at the top consistently dismantled their bowling attacks, while the bowling unit led by captain Pat Cummins provided the balance at crunch time.
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Delhi Capitals end IPL 2026 on a perfect note
Even though their playoff hopes are now over, Delhi Capitals put up a great performance in their last league stage match against KKR. Playing away from home at the iconic Eden Gardens, DC put in an all-out effort to end the season with pride.
Opening shots, KL Rahul He provided the first fireworks with a breathtaking knock of 60 runs off just 30 deliveries. His attacking intent immediately put Kolkata under pressure and created the perfect platform for a massive total. Akhar also played a significant hand in the middle overs, smashing a quick-fire 39 to maintain momentum. Veteran projectile David Miller then added the finishing touches with a valuable cameo in the death overs, helping Delhi post a stunning total of 203/5 in 20 overs.
KKR’s chase never really gained momentum as DC’s bowlers remained in control throughout the innings. Mitchell Starc while returning, he hit decisive shots with the new ball Kuldeep Yadav with a disciplined spell in the middle, it made an immediate impact. Delhi eventually cruised to a comfortable 40-run win, giving their fans something to cheer about despite the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs.
After the match, Akhar spoke emotionally about the campaign and his team’s resilience in difficult times. Instead of focusing solely on the missed opportunities, the DC captain praised the team’s attitude and commitment to the end. He admitted that Delhi’s season could have looked very different if a few close moments had gone their way. Axar.az reports that this year the difference between qualification and qualifying was quite narrow.
“I’m very proud that no one thought we were going to give up. The way the team fought even when you knew things weren’t going well – I’m proud of that. If you talk about one match, if one match went differently, it could have been very different.” better added.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Fans roar as KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav shine in DC’s triumph against KKR
