Cheteshwar Pujara has warned Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel not to be too casual when it comes to leading the franchise during the IPL 2026 season. Axar is known to be one of the best customers on the field, never letting pressure or opportunity leave him vulnerable. During the IPL 2025 season, Delhi made a sensational start to the campaign under the all-rounder, winning four out of four matches.
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However, things fell apart after that and DC failed to make the playoffsthey finished with 15 points, with seven wins and no contest to their name. In an interview with Star Sports, Pujara praised Axar’s personality but told him that he should be careful not to let the momentum slip and let things go his way.
“Axar Patel is quite calm, he doesn’t take too much pressure. His personality is really good, especially for IPL where there is a lot of pressure. He supports his players but he should be careful not to be too relaxed. He shouldn’t be extra casual and let the momentum slip and go away from you. DC had momentum last year but they let it go. He has to be careful this season,” Pujara said.
CAN AXAR THE BOWLER RETURN IN IPL 2026?
Axar did not have the best of times with the ball during the IPL 2025 campaign as he took just five wickets from 12 matches at an average of 57.60 and an economy rate of 8.47. Despite this, Mohammed Kaif is confident that the DC skipper can make a comeback with the ball this season.
Kaif feels that Axar will be playing with a new ball this season as Delhi have Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam in their ranks.
“Axar Patel can play the ball in the powerplay with the new ball, but last year the problem was that he only got a few wickets because he didn’t have runs to defend. This time too, the ball will be with the new ball, then there is also Kuldeep and Vipraj Nigam, so I am not worried about that. The last season was not that great, but this year he will make a strong comeback,” Kaif said.
Axar comes into the IPL in good form, having taken 11 wickets in seven matches at an average of 18.63.
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Published on:
18 March 2026 14:20 IST
