Delhi Capitals Face Defeat as Batting Woes Continue in IPL 2026

In a challenging match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals suffered a 47-run defeat, primarily due to persistent batting collapses. Venugopal Rao, the team's Director of Cricket, pointed out the worrying trend of losing wickets in clusters, despite some positive performances from players like Nitish Rana and KL Rahul. Abhishek Sharma's remarkable century, scoring 135 runs off 68 balls, was a highlight for SRH, while Eshan Malinga's four-wicket haul sealed the victory. This match underscores the ongoing struggles of the Capitals in IPL 2026.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 22, 2026, 09:32 IST

Batting Collapses Haunt Delhi Capitals

Venugopal Rao, the Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals (DC), attributed their 47-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to recurring batting collapses. He acknowledged that the trend of losing wickets in clusters has become a significant issue for the team in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

During the post-match press conference, Rao remarked on the challenges of playing against SRH at their home ground but noted some positives from the match. He praised Nitish Rana for his solid batting performance and KL Rahul for getting off to a good start. However, he emphasized the team's struggle to maintain momentum, stating that despite being in advantageous positions, they frequently lost wickets in quick succession. "We have many lessons to learn. Competing against SRH at their home is tough. While there were positives like Rana's performance and Rahul's start, a major takeaway is our tendency to lose wickets in clusters. Each time we find ourselves in a good position, we lose three wickets together. In this format, it's crucial to avoid back-to-back dismissals, yet we are losing three wickets in a row, which is pivotal in our matches," he explained.

'We Paid the Price'

Rao commented on Abhishek Sharma's outstanding innings and the missed opportunities, stating, "We all know his caliber from the past few years. When he provided us with chances, we failed to capitalize. After he reached his fifty, we missed a run-out opportunity, and later, we dropped him when he was in the 80s. We certainly paid the price for those mistakes."

Abhishek Sharma's Record-Breaking Century

Sharma set multiple records with his remarkable performance, scoring his second-highest IPL total. He achieved his second IPL century in just 47 balls, hitting 9 fours and 10 sixes in an impressive display of power hitting. The SRH opener concluded his innings unbeaten at 135 runs off 68 balls, helping Hyderabad reach a formidable total of 242/2 in their 20 overs.

This innings marked Sharma's second century in the IPL, bringing his T20 century tally to nine, tying him with Virat Kohli among Indian players. In the all-time rankings, Chris Gayle leads with 22 centuries, followed by Babar Azam with 12 and David Warner with 10. Abhishek now joins a group of players that includes Quinton de Kock, Rilee Rossouw, and Sahibzada Farhan.

Malinga's Four-Wicket Haul Secures Victory for SRH

In defending a massive total of 243, Eshan Malinga delivered an exceptional performance, taking four wickets and leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to a convincing 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals.