“I think SRH”: Axar Patel names winners of IPL after dominating win over KKR in
A Resounding Finish for Delhi Capitals
The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season concluded for the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders with a dramatic final group stage fixture at the iconic Eden Gardens. Despite both teams having already been eliminated from playoff contention prior to the first ball being bowled, the match provided a high-intensity battle that served as a testament to the character of both squads. Ultimately, it was the Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, who secured a dominant 40-run victory to finish their campaign on a high note.
The Match Narrative: Capitals Dominance
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to field, keeping the team composition identical to their previous outing. In contrast, Axar Patel opted for tactical shifts, introducing Kuldeep Yadav and Auqib Nabi into the side. The decision proved inspired, as Kuldeep Yadav delivered a standout performance, earning Player of the Match honors against his former franchise.
Batting first, the Delhi Capitals enjoyed a breezy start courtesy of openers KL Rahul and Abishek Porel. While Porel departed for 22, the momentum remained with the batting side. KL Rahul displayed his class, racing to a 25-ball half-century and anchoring the innings with a brilliant 60-run knock. Supported by Sahil Parakh (24), Axar Patel (39), David Miller (28), and Ashutosh (18), the Capitals posted a formidable total of 203/5.
KKR’s Collapse and DC’s Resurgence
The chase began with optimism for the Knight Riders. Ajinkya Rahane and Finn Allen started steadily, but the pressure of the required run rate eventually took its toll. Finn Allen contributed 20 runs, followed by a useful 25 from Manish Pandey. Rahane anchored the effort, scoring a composed 31-ball half-century.
However, the game turned on its head following the dismissal of Rahane for 63. The KKR batting lineup suffered a catastrophic collapse, losing 7 wickets for a mere 36 runs. The Delhi bowling attack, spearheaded by clinical execution, restricted KKR to 163 all out, sealing a definitive victory for the visitors.
Axar Patel’s Championship Prediction
Post-match, the conversation turned to the future of the tournament. When asked to evaluate the remaining qualifiers and predict the ultimate champion, “I think SRH”: Axar Patel names winners of IPL after dominating win over KKR in his post-game assessment. Patel highlighted the immense batting firepower of Sunrisers Hyderabad, particularly emphasizing that their top three batters possess the ability to dismantle any bowling attack in the competition.
Reflecting on his team’s season, Patel expressed pride in the resilience shown by his squad. “I would say that in the last three matches, the way we played, even when you know things are not going well, the way the team fought after that, I am very proud,” he stated. He acknowledged that while the results were not what the Capitals hoped for, the team’s ability to remain competitive until the very end was a positive sign for the future.
Patel added, “Firstly, you have to accept your mistakes. After that, you realize what you need to do better. That is the positive you have to take forward. If you talk about one match, if just one match had gone differently, things could have been very different. I think the last time we played good cricket, it was just about one match.”
Looking Ahead
While the IPL 2026 journey ends here for Delhi and Kolkata, the performances in this final match provided a glimpse of the individual brilliance present in both squads. Axar Patel’s endorsement of Sunrisers Hyderabad adds an interesting perspective to the upcoming playoffs, placing the spotlight firmly on the batting prowess of the Hyderabad-based side. As the tournament moves into its final stages, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if SRH can live up to the expectations set by their peers.
