Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti
A Strong Finish for Delhi Capitals
As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season draws to a dramatic conclusion, Delhi Capitals (DC) managed to conclude their campaign on a high note. In a dominant performance against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this past Sunday, the Capitals secured a comfortable 40-run victory. Under the leadership of skipper Axar Patel, Delhi posted a mammoth total of 203 runs, effectively taking the game away from the opposition before bowling KKR out for 163.
Axar Patel Weighs In on the Title Contenders
While reflecting on the season, the discussion inevitably turned toward which team is best positioned to lift the trophy. Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti. The 32-year-old all-rounder, who has had a steady season himself, pointed directly toward Pat Cummins’ side as the team to beat. According to Patel, the brilliance of the Sunrisers lies in their sheer firepower. He stated, “They (SRH) are a very strong team and when their top three batters get going, they become a formidable side.”
The Road Ahead for the Sunrisers
For Hyderabad to validate Patel’s assessment, they must navigate a challenging playoff path. Their journey begins with a high-stakes eliminator game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) this Wednesday. The match, scheduled to be held at the Mullanpur stadium in New Chandigarh, will be a test of nerves for the Men in Orange. Having narrowly missed out on a top-two finish due to an inferior net run rate, the pressure is on SRH to perform immediately. Meanwhile, the tournament’s first qualifier between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala promises to be equally intense.
Breaking Down the KKR vs DC Clash
Although the match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders did not carry significant weight regarding the playoff qualification, it provided a clear look at the talent within the Delhi squad. Batting first, the visitors showcased a professional approach to reaching 203 runs. KL Rahul led the charge with a well-constructed knock of 60, while Axar Patel contributed a vital 39 runs off just 25 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and two massive sixes.
Kolkata’s chase began with promise but ultimately crumbled under pressure. Despite an opening stand of 43, the team lost Finn Allen early. A brief partnership between Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane brought some stability, but once Rahane departed for 63 with the score at 128, the innings collapsed in a hurry. The home team was eventually bowled out for 163 in the 19th over.
Dominant Bowling Performance
The success of the Delhi Capitals was largely due to a disciplined bowling attack. Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi were the architects of the KKR downfall, each claiming three wickets. The highlight—and a moment of frustration—came during Yadav’s spell, where he narrowly missed a hat-trick after a relatively straightforward catch was dropped by Abhishek Porel off the bat of Tejasvi Dahiya. Despite that minor lapse, the victory serves as a morale booster for a team looking to rebuild for the next cycle.
Why Hyderabad Remains the Team to Beat
Patel’s assessment of the Sunrisers is shared by many analysts who have followed the 2026 season closely. The Sunrisers have demonstrated a rare ability to score runs at an accelerated pace, often leaving bowlers with little to no margin for error. If their top order fires in the upcoming eliminator, they will indeed be a difficult force to stop. As the tournament reaches its crescendo, the cricket world remains fixated on whether the Sunrisers can live up to the high expectations placed upon them by their peers.
Aarav Malhotra is a cricket features writer from Pune specializing in player biographies, IPL season stories, and emerging cricket talents. His content focuses on storytelling-driven sports journalism optimized for modern cricket audiences and search platforms.
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