IPL 2025: Tactical Error by Axar Patel Costs Delhi Capitals Loss to RCB, Say Former Cricketers

April 28, 2025: Former cricketers Anil Kumble, Sanjay Bangar, and Wasim Jaffer pointed out a key tactical flaw in Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel’s decision-making during the death phase of their match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), which led to their six-wicket loss in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In a match that saw DC struggling to defend a total of 162/8, the equation came down to 38 runs required from 24 deliveries. Mukesh Kumar bowled the 17th over, during which RCB’s Virat Kohli and Krunal Pandya managed to steal 12 runs. Dushmantha Chameera bowled the next over, conceding nine runs but picking up the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli, who was dismissed for 51.

With DC seemingly back in the game, the contest took a sudden turn in the final overs. In the 19th over, Mukesh Kumar was called to bowl again, but he was hammered for boundaries by Tim David, who hit four consecutive boundaries—6, 4, 4, 4—to reduce the equation to a mere 17 runs from 12 balls.

At this critical point, Axar Patel had the option of bringing in Mitchell Starc for the 19th over or turning to Vipraj Nigam, who had only bowled a single over earlier in the match. Instead, Axar opted for Mukesh Kumar to bowl, a decision that raised eyebrows among the experts.

Anil Kumble, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, expressed his surprise at Axar’s choice, saying, “When you have 18-19 runs to defend in the last two overs, you give the 19th over to your best bowler to take it till the end. I was surprised that he gave the ball to Mukesh and not Starc. The result might have been the same, but the intent was wrong.”

The thinking behind Axar’s move, according to Kumble, could have been influenced by Starc’s heroics against Rajasthan Royals earlier in the tournament when the Australian pacer successfully defended nine runs in the final over. However, Kumble felt that the captain’s judgment was flawed, as Starc should have bowled the 19th over, giving the team a better chance of limiting the damage.

Sanjay Bangar, former India cricketer and coach, also weighed in on the decision, explaining that Axar’s approach appeared to be a result of the “hangover” from the previous match. “Axar must have thought that since Starc had defended nine runs in that last over, let’s give this to Mukesh and see. It might have worked, but the thought process was wrong,” Bangar said. He emphasized that Starc should have been given the responsibility in the 19th over, regardless of how it might have turned out.

Wasim Jaffer added another layer to the analysis, pointing out Axar’s lack of trust in his bowler Vipraj Nigam. Jaffer said, “I felt he didn’t show enough trust in Vipraj. Maybe he could have been given two-three overs too. Maybe it could have had an effect. Because at that stage, if a wicket had fallen, two overseas batters—Tim David and Romario Shepherd—would have been there, and they might have found it tough.”

While Axar’s tactical choices were questioned, the match was ultimately decided by the lethal batting display of Tim David, who kept RCB’s hopes alive by playing some breathtaking shots in the final overs. DC’s inability to execute a strong plan during the crucial death overs ultimately cost them the game, as RCB successfully chased down the target with one over to spare.

With this defeat, Delhi Capitals now face a tough challenge in the ongoing IPL season, and questions over leadership and tactics will continue to haunt the team unless they bounce back strongly in their next encounter.