IPL 2025: Axar Patel admits DC conceded 15-20 runs too many after loss against KKR

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has admitted that they gave away 15-20 runs too many after their 14-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday. KKR posted 204 runs on the board after Patel decided to field first at home ground.

The visitors got off to a flying start, adding 79 runs in the Powerplay overs for the loss of one wicket. However, DC were able to bounce back strongly as they conceded only 45 runs in the last five overs and also took five wickets.

But the home team could only manage 190-9 as they could not get the impetus in their innings. Faf du Plessis scored 62 runs off 45 balls whereas Axar Patel added 43 runs off 23 balls but the other batters failed to contribute.

Axar Patel said in the post-match presentation, “I think how the wicket was and how we bowled in the powerplay, we gave away 15-20 runs too many. We also lost a few wickets in a soft manner. The positive was how we restricted them after the powerplay, coming to the batting, even though few batters failed, 2-3 of us contributed and took it so close.”

Patel said it could have been a different story if Ashutosh Sharma had stayed till the end as Vipraj Nigam scored a fine cameo of 38 runs off 19 balls.

He added, “When Vipraj was batting there was hope, if Ashutosh was there then they could have repeated the first game. My skin got peeled off as I dived on the practice wickets to stop the ball, but the good thing is there are 3-4 days break and hopefully I will be able to recover.”

Delhi Capitals will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Monday.