PBKS vs DC, IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals to wait on skipper Axar Patel’s recovery – Sportstar

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Published : May 23, 2025 18:57 IST , Jaipur – 2 MINS READ
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File – Delhi Capitals’ Axar Patel bowling against GT in an IPL 2025 match. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR/The Hindu
Delhi Capitals (DC) will have to wait on skipper Axar Patel’s recovery from illness ahead of the IPL 2025 encounter against the Punjab Kings, said assistant coach Matthew Mott.
Axar missed the side’s 59-run loss to the Mumbai Indians, which ended DC’s hopes of making the top four, and has not fully recovered ahead of Saturday’s contest here.
“He’s [Axar] is not training today. He’s had a pretty rugged time with a few niggly injuries as well. I’m sure he’s motivated to come out and play. But, we’ll probably know a little bit more tonight when we go back and see the medical staff,” Mott said at the pre-match press conference.
The Australian coach said that the players and staff are gutted at not being able to qualify for the Playoffs despite winning six of their opening eight encounters.
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“We came out of the blocks hard and won a lot of games early. The second half has been very disappointing, a bit patchy and disjointed,” the coach said.
“As a unit, it’s hard not to sit back and think what could have been. Halfway through the tournament, we probably needed to win two more games to assure our spot in the final. We weren’t good enough as a group to do that,” he added.
Despite failing to make the Playoffs, Mott suggested that there were plenty of positives to take home for the Capitals, especially the performances of the uncapped Indian players.
“The players who have read the conditions the best have genuinely won matches for their teams. I think the local players understand the conditions a bit more,” Mott said.
“Someone like Vippy [Vipraj Nigam] came in under the radar this year. Right from the first match he’s played pivotal innings with the bat, and he’s been entrusted with big overs. Sameer [Rizvi] looked really good in the last game. Abishek [Porel] throughout has played some really good counter-punching knocks,” he explained.
Despite the PBKS encounter proving to be a dead rubber, the coach suggested that it gives the team the chance to finish on a high.
“I think it’s an opportunity for us to sign off for the Delhi fans more than anything. Don’t forget us, we’re still a good team. Hopefully, a good performance tomorrow shows that and gives us something going into the next year,” he concluded.
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IPL 2025 /
Delhi Capitals /
Punjab Kings /
Axar Patel
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