DC vs PBKS, Delhi Capitals Pull Off Historic Chase, But Axar Patel Faces Heavy Fine: In an exhilarating encounter during IPL 2026 on Monday, Delhi Capitals (DC) registered a historic victory against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Played at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, this match saw Delhi not only defeat Punjab by 3 wickets but also complete the second-highest successful run chase in the history of the IPL. However, the celebrations surrounding this victory were somewhat dampened for Captain Axar Patel.
Delhi’s Historic Victory and Thrilling Run Chase
Punjab Kings had set a massive target of 211 runs for Delhi. At one stage, Delhi endured a disastrous start, losing 3 wickets for a mere 33 runs. However, Captain Axar Patel and David Miller refused to give up. Both players struck magnificent half-centuries, laying the foundation for the victory. Ultimately, Ashutosh Sharma played a blistering cameo—scoring 24 runs off just 10 balls—to seal the win for Delhi in the very 19th over.
Captain Axar Patel Fined ₹12 Lakhs
Despite winning the match, bad news emerged for Delhi Capitals. The BCCI has imposed a fine of ₹12 lakhs on Captain Axar Patel.
- Reason: A ‘slow over-rate’ (failing to complete the allotted overs within the stipulated time) during the match against Punjab Kings.
- Rule: According to the IPL media advisory, this was the team’s first offense of the season; therefore, the minimum penalty has been imposed under Article 2.22 of the IPL Code of Conduct.
Why Didn’t He Bowl Himself? Axar Reveals the Strategy
After the match, when Axar was asked why he did not bowl a single over himself, he revealed the strategy behind his decision.
Axar stated:
“The wicket was behaving differently today. Watching Aaqib Nabi bowl, it seemed as though the ball was swinging and seaming. Once I realized that the fast bowlers were finding assistance, I felt there was no need for spin. I deemed it better to place my trust in the fast bowlers rather than bringing myself on to bowl.”
Punjab’s Fourth Consecutive Defeat; Delhi’s Hopes Remain Alive
With this defeat, Punjab Kings’ troubles have mounted; this marks their fourth consecutive loss. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have improved their standing on the points table with this victory:
- Current Position: 7th
- Performance: 5 wins and 7 losses in 12 matches.
The ‘Heroes’ Behind Delhi’s Comeback
Axar credited the victory to his team’s lower order and bowlers. He specifically praised the bowling efforts of Madhav, Mukesh, and Aaqib Nabi, who helped bring Delhi back into the match following some early setbacks. With the bat, the innings played by David Miller and the young Ashutosh Sharma have kept Delhi’s playoff hopes alive.
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