Aaron Finch takes a look at two-time World Cup winners India (Image: IPL/BCCI) Delhi Capitals conceded their highest total of IPL 2026, 242 runs, thanks to a sensational unbeaten 135 from Abhishek Sharma, who bowled the entire 20 overs. After the defeat, former Australian captain Aaron Finch criticized Axar Patel for bowling only two overs while part-timer Nitish Rana was allowed to complete his full quota during Delhi Capitals’ (DC) clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).Sunrisers Hyderabad continued their strong run with an impressive 47-run victory, led by Abhishek’s 68-ball masterclass that included 10 fours and 10 sixes. He was well supported by Travis Head (37) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* off 13) who helped SRH post a daunting 242/2.
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Matthew Hayden reacts after Gujarat Titans’ defeat against Mumbai Indians In response, Delhi Capitals showed early promise with the partnership between KL Rahul (37) and Nitish Rana (57) but lost momentum after their dismissal. Eshan Malinga bowled and took 4/32 as DC were restricted to 195/9.Finch was openly critical of the decision, saying: “We were sitting there scratching our heads, weren’t we? Your two Indian premiership bowlers, captain Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, bowled four overs between them. The part-time offspinner in Nitish Rana bowled four overs. It doesn’t make sense to me,” he told ESPNcinfo.He further questioned Axar’s reluctance to swing lefties, even after dismissing Travis Head, and suggested it reflected a mindset problem.“It’s the responsibility of your captain, your senior player, your retained player, your best bowler, Indian bowler, he’s one of your main bowlers in the Indian cricket team. That’s no small feat. He’s a two-time World Cup winner. So the fact that he doesn’t believe he can execute under pressure and defend against any left-hander says his attitude, which I don’t like today. That’s more than anything else,” he added.
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Earlier, Ravichandran Ashwin also highlighted the overuse of part-time bowler Nitish Rana, while leading players Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bowled just two overs each.“In the DC bowling attack, they have Axar Patel, Kuldeep, Lungi, Mukesh and Natarajan. But the first player to complete his 4-over quota was Nitish Rana and they lost the match there. It has to be the biggest mistake yet,” Ashwin said on his Ash Ki Baat YouTube channel.
