Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel has tipped Sunrisers Hyderabad as one of the strongest contenders for the IPL 2026 title, praising the team’s explosive batting line-up ahead of the playoffs.
SRH booked their place in the playoffs after a commanding 55-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their final league-stage fixture at Hyderabad. The win ensured Hyderabad finished third on the points table and carried momentum into the knockout stage.
They will now face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on May 27 in New Chandigarh.
Speaking after Delhi Capitals’ final league match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Axar said SRH’s top-order batting could make the difference in the playoffs. “SRH are a very dangerous side. If their top three click together, they can dominate any bowling attack and become extremely difficult to stop,” Axar said.
Delhi Capitals finished sixth in IPL 2026 with 14 points from 14 matches, falling short of a playoff spot despite ending the season with three consecutive wins. Their inconsistent run during the middle phase of the tournament ultimately proved costly.
Axar admitted DC failed to make the most of crucial moments during the season and said the team paid the price for repeated mistakes under pressure. “We played good cricket in patches, but in tournaments like the IPL, small moments decide your fate. Had we handled a few situations better, the outcome could have been different,” he said.
Delhi endured disappointing defeats against Punjab Kings and RCB during a crucial stretch of the season, while missed chances in the field and poor execution in tense situations hurt their playoff hopes. One of the major setbacks came against Gujarat Titans, where DC failed to complete a modest chase in a dramatic finish.
Axar also reflected on his experience as captain, saying the season taught him valuable lessons about handling pressure and maintaining composure. “This tournament tests you mentally as a leader. You need to stay calm because frustration can affect your decision-making and the team environment. I learnt a lot about managing emotions and supporting the group,” he added.
RCB, Gujarat Titans, SRH and Rajasthan Royals have qualified for the IPL 2026 playoffs. RCB will meet Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, while the winner of the SRH-RR Eliminator will progress to Qualifier 2 for a place in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31.
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