Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticised the tactical decisions of Axar Patel after Delhi Capitals suffered a heavy defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2026 clash, questioning the use of bowling resources and the reliance on part-time options in a high-pressure match.
Delhi Capitals endured a tough outing as Sunrisers Hyderabad posted a massive 242/2, powered by a brilliant century from Abhishek Sharma. In response, DC bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with none managing an economy rate below 10.
A major talking point from the match was the decision to complete a full four-over spell with part-time bowler Nitish Rana, who ended up conceding 53 runs at an economy of 13.25. Meanwhile, specialist bowlers such as Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar, and T. Natarajan were either underutilised or struggled to make an impact.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin expressed disbelief at the approach, suggesting that the captain’s use of resources lacked clarity and intent.
“It didn’t happen just once; it happened multiple times. Nitish Rana was used as a primary option despite having specialist bowlers available,” Ashwin said. “Who completed the first full four-over spell? It was Nitish Rana. I rest my case, Your Honour.”
Ashwin further argued that even when bowlers are expensive, captains should prioritise experienced specialists over part-time options, especially in a format like T20 cricket where breakthroughs are crucial.
He pointed out that while bowlers like T. Natarajan had an off day, conceding 40 runs, they should still be trusted over non-specialist alternatives. According to him, the role of a captain is to back wicket-taking bowlers, even if they are expensive.
“If you have five specialist bowlers, use them. If they go for runs, so be it,” he said, stressing that taking wickets is more valuable than simply containing runs.
Ashwin also highlighted the limited success of the DC attack in the match, noting that the team managed just one wicket through Axar Patel, while the other dismissal came via a run-out involving Nitish Rana.
He further defended Kuldeep Yadav, pointing out that although the spinner conceded runs early, he has a proven track record of bouncing back and picking up key wickets under pressure.
“Kuldeep Yadav is a match-winner. Even if he goes for 50 runs, you stick with him because he takes wickets,” Ashwin added, drawing a parallel with Axar Patel’s own role as a strike bowler.
The comments have sparked debate over captaincy decisions in high-scoring T20 matches, particularly around balancing part-time options with specialist bowlers in pressure situations.
With Delhi Capitals now facing three losses in six matches, scrutiny over their tactical approach is expected to intensify as the season progresses.
