‘Axar Patel’s captaincy was absolutely outstanding, can’t say the same about Suryakumar’ – Ex-India opener analyses DC vs MI clash

Delhi Capitals have won back-to-back matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 and are currently placed at No. 2 on the points table behind the Rajasthan Royals. On Saturday, April 5, the Capitals defeated five-time champions Mumbai Indians by six wickets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

While Axar Patel’s rotation of bowling resources in the match between Delhi Capitals and the Mumbai Indians impressed Aakash Chopra, he explained the error made by his opposite number, Suryakumar Yadav.

Chopra lauded Axar for showing the courage to take Mukesh Kumar out of the attack for the sake of a matchup, despite the Bengal seamer picking up two wickets in his first spell. However, while talking about Suryakumar, who led the Mumbai Indians in Hardik Pandya’s absence, Chopra mentioned that taking Deepak Chahar out of the attack after two overs inside the power play wasn’t the right call, especially because the right-arm pacer is known for his effectiveness with the new ball.

“Axar Patel’s captaincy was absolutely outstanding. Mukesh Kumar took two wickets and then he was stopped because there was an excellent matchup. A left-hander got out and he himself came quickly, and then got Vipraj Nigam. He finished the powerplay with Lungi Ngidi, and then he didn’t bring Mukesh Kumar after that as it was not required. He was impeccable, the way he used his resources,” Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.

“Can’t say the same about Suryakumar Yadav or the Mumbai Indians. Deepak Chahar had picked up a wicket. He is a new-ball bowler and you made him bowl only two overs. When Mukesh was stopped after two overs, that was a great choice, but when you stopped Deepak in the same match after two overs, that was a bad call because there was no matchup. Go with Deepak Chahar. He is not useful to you at the death in any case,” he added.

He has given three consecutive Player of the Match performances: Aakash Chopra on Sameer Rizvi

Chopra praised Sameer Rizvi, who scored a magnificent 90 off 51 balls to help the Capitals chase down a 163-run target in just 18.1 overs with six wickets to spare.

“Let’s talk about Sameer Rizi. What a guy. How well he is playing. I think he has given three consecutive Player of the Match performances, if we look at it from last year onwards. He started in Delhi from where he left in Lucknow,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-expert was particularly impressed by the composure with which he played against renowned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner.

“Even Bumrah and Mitchell Santner were there here, but the composure with which he played, he starts slow, gives himself time, and that shows maturity. Then he bats till the end. If Bumrah is in the opposing team, and you play easily despite that, it speaks volumes,” Chopra observed.