Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti
Delhi Capitals End Season on High; Axar Backs SRH for IPL 2026 Glory
Delhi Capitals (DC) signed off from their IPL 2026 campaign with a commanding 40-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Though the fixture held no playoff implications for either side, the win served as a morale booster for Axar Patel and his team after a season of mixed results. More importantly, the match gave fans a glimpse into the competitive psyche of one of IPL’s most level-headed captains – and his surprising title prediction.
Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti
Despite leading a side that fell short of the postseason, Axar Patel didn’t hesitate when asked which team he believed had the best chance of lifting the IPL 2026 trophy. His answer? Pat Cummins and the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
“They are a very strong team and when their top three batters get going, they become a formidable side,” said the 32-year-old skipper, highlighting the explosive potential that has defined SRH’s batting lineup this season.
SRH’s Road to the Final: Eliminator First
Sunrisers Hyderabad will need to navigate a tight path to glory. They are set to face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mullanpur on Wednesday. Having missed out on a top-two finish due to a poor net run rate, SRH must win two knockout games to become champions.
Their journey could get tougher – a win over RR would set up a rematch with the Gujarat Titans or Royal Challengers Bangalore, who face off in Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala on Tuesday.
DC’s Batting Firepower Shines in Season Finale
The Delhi Capitals’ 203-run total was built on solid contributions from KL Rahul and skipper Axar Patel. Rahul anchored the innings with a composed 60, while Axar accelerated in the death overs, smashing 39 off just 25 balls with three boundaries and two maximums.
The Men in Blue capitalized on KKR’s sloppy death bowling, adding 61 runs in the final five overs to set a challenging target.
KKR’s Collapse Hands DC Convincing Win
In reply, Kolkata Knight Riders showed brief promise through their opening stand of 43 between Finn Allen (20) and Phil Salt. However, once Allen departed, the innings began to unravel.
Manish Pandey (25) and Ajinkya Rahane added 44 for the second wicket, keeping KKR in contention. Rahane played a gritty knock of 63, bringing the score to 128, but the absence of support from the middle order proved costly.
A dramatic collapse followed as KKR lost their last seven wickets for just 35 runs, being bowled out in the 19th over for 163.
Bowling Attack Delivers for Capitals
Delhi’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi each claiming three wickets. Kuldeep nearly achieved a hat-trick, but Abhishek Porel dropped a straightforward catch off Tejasvi Dahiya’s bat – denying the spinner a rare feat.
The all-round performance offered a glimpse of what DC could achieve with better consistency next season.
Final Verdict: SRH’s Momentum Could Carry Them to the Title
While the playoffs are just beginning, Axar Patel’s endorsement of Sunrisers Hyderabad adds to the growing sentiment that SRH are the team to beat. With a balanced squad, strong leadership, and a batting lineup capable of explosive starts, they have all the ingredients of a champions.
As Patel rightly pointed out, when their top three fire, Sunrisers Hyderabad become nearly unstoppable. Now, they’ll need to do it when it matters most – under the high pressure of knockout cricket.
