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Axar Patel reveals why Sunrisers Hyderabad are favourites to win the IPL 2026 title

Rohit Verma · 25/05/2026 · 2 min read

Axar Patel Reveals Why Sunrisers Hyderabad Are Favourites to Win the IPL 2026 Title

Delhi Capitals (DC) ended their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season on a positive note with a 40-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday. Skipper Axar Patel saw his side post a mammoth total of 203 runs on the board and then bowl out the opposition for just 163 runs.

When asked to name which team he felt would win the IPL 2026 title, the 32-year-old named Pat Cummins and his Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team. Patel was further asked to state why he felt Hyderabad were the top title contenders, to which he said: “They (SRH) are a very strong team and when their top three batters get going, they become a formidable side.”

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Road to the Title

If Sunrisers have to win the title, they first have to go past Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator game on Wednesday, to be played in New Chandigarh at the Mullanpur stadium. Men In Orange lost out on a top-two spot owing to a poor net-run-rate. The first qualifier will be played in Dharamsala on Tuesday between RCB and Gujarat Titans.

KKR vs DC Game Recap

Speaking about the KKR vs DC game, the clash didn’t have anything significant since both sides were out of the playoff race. The visiting side reached 203 on the board thanks to KL Rahul’s knock of 60 and Axar’s 39 runs with the bat, which came off just 25 balls with three boundaries and two sixes.

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Kolkata’s spectacular collapse handed Capitals a morale-boosting win. Chasing 204 to win, the hosts began the innings by losing Finn Allen for 20 after an opening stand of 43 runs. Manish Pandey and Rahane then added 44 runs for the second wicket before Pandey was out for 25. When Ajinkya fell for 63 with the score reading 128, the home team was still in the game.

Three-time IPL winners then lost wickets in a hurry to be bowled out for 163 in the 19th over. Kuldeep Yadav and Lungi Ngidi picked three wickets each, with Yadav missing out on a hat-trick when Abhishek Porel dropped a rather easy chance of Tejasvi Dahiya’s bat.

About the Author

Rohit Verma

Rohit Verma is a senior cricket correspondent for The Statesman, known for his refined batting analysis and an encyclopedic knowledge of Bengal cricket. A University of Calcutta graduate, he cut his journalistic teeth covering club matches at the Eden Gardens before graduating to the Ranji Trophy and the international beat. Rohit’s writing is distinguished by his ability to break down batting techniques—from classical cover drives to audacious modern scoops—with a clarity that appeals to both purists and new fans. He has reported on numerous IPL seasons, often with a focus on uncapped Indian batsmen who thrive in the high‑pressure tournament. A regular voice on radio commentary panels, Rohit brings a measured, articulate presence to sports broadcasting. Honoured by The Statesman and the Eden Gardens Media fraternity, he remains deeply invested in documenting the rich cricketing culture of Kolkata and the next generation of talent rising through West Bengal’s maidaans.