16 April 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): As one of the in-form teams of this Indian Premier League, Delhi Capitals hit a mini slump as they were beaten for the first time this season by Mumbai Indians at home on Monday. Despite DC looking like one of the favourites to book a place in the knockouts, the 12-run defeat was a timely wake-up call for the Axar Patel-led squad.
The Delhi team is comfortably placed in the second position with 8 points after five games and while it may not be a big concern for the team management, Wednesday’s game against Rajasthan Royals could not have come at a better time as DC would look to get back to winning ways at home.
A second successive loss will once again put the spotlight on the team that has flattered to deceive in all editions. DC, as settled as they look, have few underperforming players, including Axar, who has failed to make an impact with bat or bowl. Add to it the missing runs from Jake Fraser-McGurk’s bat, Delhi have to quickly iron out the flaws before they get to the business end of the tournament.
Fraser-McGurk has only scored 46 runs but still has the backing of the skipper and team management. Another bad outing may force the team to look at a different opening option.
In the bowling department, DC seem to rely mainly on Kuldeep Yadav, who has been most effective in the middle overs and has the best bowling average in the league at 5.60 runs an over. Axar has been wicket-less and has given away runs at an alarming rate of 9.78.
And the home team is keen not to repeat the same mistakes that were committed against Mumbai Indians. Former India bowler Mohit Sharma said the loss was a timely reminder of how tough the league is.
“If we go back to the last match, we were almost through, but the middle-order collapsed and that’s why we lost the match. It is such a big tournament and you are bound to lose games,” he said.
“When you lose a match it brings the team together. We talked about how you can do well as a unit,” he added.
On the other end of the spectrum, Rajasthan Royals have been looking at arresting the slide. With only two wins from six games, Sanju Samson would be hoping that his team will be able to use the small boundaries of the Arun Jaitley Stadium to get past Delhi on Wednesday. The team has looked unsettled so far. Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has hit two fifties in the last three games, no batter has looked in form. The skipper Sanju has scored only one fifty. The bowling department looks too reliant on fast bowler Joffra Archer.
“I think it is our job to handle pressure. That is why we are professional cricketers. And as far as our form is concerned, obviously, we are low on the points table. But there are a lot of positives in the matches that we have lost and won. The sooner we forget those things and learn from them and move forward, I think it will be better for us,” Rajasthan’s Nitish Rana said.
Summary: Delhi Capitals aim to bounce back from a loss as they face Rajasthan Royals, hoping to regain momentum in a crucial IPL 2025 encounter.