Axar Patel’s Captaincy Decisions Questioned After DC’s Loss to RCB in IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals’ loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has sparked debate surrounding Captain Axar Patel’s tactical decisions, particularly his bowling choices in the final overs. While Patel has garnered praise for his leadership throughout the season, the six-wicket defeat at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has exposed potential vulnerabilities in his captaincy. RCB chased down the target with nine balls remaining, courtesy of a late surge from Tim David, leaving critics questioning DC’s approach in the crucial death overs.
With 38 runs needed off the final 24 balls, DC appeared to be in a commanding position. However, the 17th and 18th overs yielded 21 runs, leaving a manageable yet defendable 17 runs off the last two overs. The decision to entrust Mukesh Kumar with the 19th over, instead of experienced pacer Mitchell Starc, proved costly. David capitalized on the opportunity, smashing four consecutive boundaries to seal the victory for RCB. Former Indian cricketers, including Anil Kumble, Wasim Jaffer, and Sanjay Bangar, expressed concerns over Patel’s bowling choices. Kumble, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out, questioned the intent behind the decision, while Bangar speculated that Patel might have been influenced by Starc’s successful defense of nine runs in a previous match against Rajasthan Royals. Bangar further suggested that even if Starc had conceded runs, the option of leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam for the 20th over could have been a viable alternative.
The underutilization of Nigam has also drawn criticism. Despite an impressive economy rate of 9.34 and nine wickets in the tournament, the rookie leg-spinner has bowled only 23 overs in nine appearances. His absence in the death overs, particularly with left-handed batsman Krunal Pandya at the crease, raised questions about the team management’s faith in his abilities. Jaffer advocated for giving Nigam more overs, believing it could have disrupted RCB’s momentum by bringing overseas batsmen David and Romario Shepherd into play.
Official match statistics highlight RCB’s dominance in the later stages of the game. While DC’s bowlers performed admirably in the initial overs, the inability to contain RCB’s batsmen in the death overs proved decisive. David’s impactful innings of 22 off 9 balls underscores the importance of tactical bowling changes in crucial moments. Despite the setback, DC remains in contention for a playoff spot. With six wins from nine matches, they currently occupy the fourth position in the points table. Upcoming fixtures against Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings present an opportunity to solidify their standing before facing tougher opponents like Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans in the final stages of the league. While Axar Patel’s overall captaincy has been generally well-received, this defeat highlights the fine margins in T20 cricket and the significance of backing young bowlers in pressure situations. The loss serves as a learning experience for the young captain, emphasizing the crucial role of tactical acumen and decisive decision-making in high-stakes encounters.
