‘A mature captain never ... ': Ex-India cricketer questions Axar Patel’s leadership

Mohammad Kaif has criticised Axar Patel for publically pointing fingers astatine teammate Kuldeep Yadav during Delhi Capitals’ hard IPL 2026 campaign. Despite keeping their slim playoff hopes live with a thrilling three-wicket triumph implicit Punjab Kings successful Dharamsala connected Monday, Delhi Capitals stay nether unit aft losing 7 of their 12 matches this season.

Questions person besides continued to situation their rotation department, peculiarly the performances of Axar and Kuldeep.

Following Delhi’s earlier decision against Chennai Super Kings, Axar had publically spoken astir Kuldeep’s struggles, thing Kaif believes should not person happened. Speaking connected his YouTube channel, Kaif said experienced captains debar singling retired players successful public, particularly idiosyncratic with Kuldeep’s proven record. “A mature skipper ne'er publically names 1 of his players oregon lets his subordinate down. He does not openly blasted him. I tin recognize that Kuldeep has gone done a pugnacious signifier this season-he has not bowled that good and hasn't picked up galore wickets. But ever since helium joined Delhi, helium has been a proven bowler,” Kaif said. Kaif further backed Kuldeep’s semipermanent value, highlighting his consistency for some Delhi and India crossed formats implicit the years.

“Forget conscionable the IPL; adjacent if you speech astir India successful ODIs oregon T20Is implicit the years, helium has consistently performed. Yes, this play has been a spot quiescent for him and his bowling has not been astatine its best. But you should ne'er instrumentality a player's sanction publicly. Instead, you should simply accidental that things did not spell good arsenic a team,” helium added. Interestingly, Axar himself delivered a captain’s sound during Delhi’s melodramatic pursuit against Punjab Kings.

After DC slipped to 33/3 portion chasing 211, Axar smashed 56 disconnected 30 balls and stitched unneurotic a important concern with David Miller to revive the innings. After the win, Axar praised the quality shown by his broadside and insisted Delhi had been playing bully cricket contempt failing to triumph cardinal moments earlier successful the season. “I person been saying that we are a bully team, playing bully cricket but not winning the important moments,” Axar said aft the match. “I americium truly blessed with however we played and hopefully we proceed playing similar this.” He besides praised the youngsters successful the squad, adding: “Given the benignant of cricket we are playing and the seat spot we have, the aboriginal is successful bully hands. Youngsters lasting up successful specified situations is simply a bully sign.”