Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti
A Season Finale with Purpose
The Delhi Capitals concluded their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign on a high note, securing a dominant 40-run victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders this past Sunday. While both franchises were already out of the playoff contention, the match served as a final statement of intent for the Capitals. Under the leadership of Axar Patel, the team showcased their offensive capabilities, setting a mammoth target of 203 runs before dismantling the Kolkata batting lineup to restrict them to just 163 runs.
Axar Patel Weighs In on the Championship Contenders
Following the conclusion of the match, the conversation inevitably turned to the upcoming playoffs. When posed with the question of who carries the momentum to lift the trophy, 32-year-old skipper Axar Patel did not hesitate to identify Pat Cummins and his Sunrisers Hyderabad unit as the side to beat. It is in this context that Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 ti, specifically citing their destructive top-order batting depth. Patel remarked, ‘They are a very strong team, and when their top three batters get going, they become a formidable side.’
The Road Ahead for the Men in Orange
Despite the high praise from their peers, the Sunrisers Hyderabad face a challenging path to the final. Having narrowly missed out on a top-two finish in the league standings due to a lower net run rate, they are now forced to navigate the eliminator round. Their immediate hurdle is a high-pressure encounter against the Rajasthan Royals, scheduled to take place at the Mullanpur stadium in New Chandigarh this Wednesday. The winner of this clash will move one step closer to the ultimate prize, while the loser will see their season come to an abrupt end.
A Look at the Playoff Landscape
As the tournament reaches its business end, the excitement is palpable. Alongside the SRH versus RR clash, the top-tier competition continues with the first qualifier. This pivotal match, set for Tuesday in Dharamsala, will feature a battle between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans. The outcome of these matches will dictate the final lineup for the championship showdown.
Dominance in the Final Match
Reflecting on the Delhi Capitals’ performance against Kolkata, the victory was built on a foundation of clinical batting and aggressive bowling. KL Rahul led the charge with a composed 60-run knock, while captain Axar Patel provided a vital late-order boost, scoring 39 runs off just 25 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and two massive sixes. This allowed the Capitals to post a formidable total of 203.
In response, the Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to maintain momentum. After losing Finn Allen early, Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane attempted to steady the ship, adding 44 runs for the second wicket. However, once Rahane fell for 63, the middle and lower order collapsed under pressure. The Capitals’ bowling unit, spearheaded by Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi—who both claimed three wickets each—ensured there was no hope for a late revival. Even a dropped catch by Abhishek Porel, which denied Kuldeep Yadav a potential hat-trick, could not stop the momentum as the Capitals wrapped up the win in the 19th over.
Conclusion
As the curtains close on the Delhi Capitals’ season, the focus shifts entirely to the playoffs. With the expert analysis provided by those inside the dressing room, the cricket world remains fixated on the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Whether they can validate these claims and overcome the hurdle of the Rajasthan Royals remains one of the most anticipated storylines of the 2026 IPL season.
