Cheteshwar Pujara brutally criticises DC’s gameplay after 8-wicket loss vs KKR in IPL 2026

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has criticised Delhi Capitals’ (DC) batting approach following their eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026. The match was played on Friday, May 8 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Asked to bat first, DC got off to a decent start as KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka added 49 runs off 30 balls for the opening wicket. However, things went downhill quickly after that, with the hosts losing half their side for 79 runs in 10.5 overs.

Skipper Axar Patel (11 off 22) and Ashutosh Sharma (39 off 28) then adopted a defensive approach and managed just 11 runs in the next five overs. The duo eventually added 39 runs off 46 deliveries as DC finished with 142/8. In response, Finn Allen’s unbeaten 100 off 47 balls helped KKR chase down the target in just 14.2 overs.

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Speaking on Star Sports after the match, Pujara criticised DC’s lack of intent with the bat and said the game had already slipped away from them during that phase of the innings. He said:

“There were a few overs where only one, two, or three runs were scored, and there wasn’t even a single boundary. That is more concerning because the planning was not good, the execution was not good, and even the intent to score runs was missing. Because of that, you were losing the match right there itself. The final result came later, but in reality, the game was already lost at that stage.”

The 38-year-old further stated that Ashutosh and Axar should have adopted a more positive approach with the bat. Pujara pointed out that the duo played too many dot balls and should have at least looked to find fours, if not sixes, adding that the strategy during that phase was not right. He added:

“In T20 cricket you don’t really gain much by just holding wickets. So there, Ashutosh and Axar should have had a slightly more positive batting approach. Maybe they should have tried to play more attacking shots. Not necessarily sixes every time, but at least they should have attempted to hit fours. That was not visible in this partnership. They played too many dot balls, even singles were not coming, so the problem kept increasing. Because in the T20 format, if you are scoring only 10 to 15 runs in around five overs, then that partnership and strategy is not right.”

The Capitals now sit eighth in the points table with just four wins from 11 games.

“Their batters have been exposed” — Mohammad Kaif tears into DC after disappointing show vs KKR

In the same discussion, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif remarked that Delhi Capitals’ batters have been exposed whenever they have come up against challenging pitches. He highlighted the team’s struggles at home, pointing out that they were bowled out for just 75 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Kaif further noted that DC managed only 155 in their previous home clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), followed by 142 against KKR. He also mentioned that despite putting up 264 against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in an earlier game, they still failed to defend the target. He said:

“In my opinion, a lot of work needs to be done in batting. Wherever the pitch has been difficult, their batters have been exposed. Whenever the ball has gripped and turned, they have struggled. And these are home conditions. Since you play here regularly, you cannot say that you have come from outside and were unaware of the conditions. You play here, yet you were all out for 75.

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“In another match, around 155 against CSK at the same venue, you lost by eight wickets. Even in today’s match, you could only manage around 142. So I am seeing three consecutive matches at home where your batters have disappointed. Before that, you scored 264, but even that was chased down, and catches were dropped in that game as well,” he added.

DC will next be in action on Monday, May 11, when they take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala.