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In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Delhi Capitals (DC) started the campaign in a spectacular manner. After defeating Lucknow Super Giants, he had defeated a big team like Mumbai Indians. In both these matches, DC’s bowlers showed wonders and then young batsman Sameer Rizvi scored a half-century to take the team to the threshold of victory. Looking at the all-round performance of DC, it was believed that this team would go far but after that it lost its rhythm.

The team captained by Akshar Patel could win only 3 out of the next 10 matches and is now standing on the verge of being out of IPL 2026. DC’s assistant coach Ian Bell said on Saturday (May 16) that the mix-up in the batting order had ruined the team. Along with this, he admitted that KL Rahul needs support from the other end. Rahul has scored 477 runs in 12 matches this season but the rest of the batsmen have failed to perform consistently.

Change in batting order became a problem

Bell has appealed to the batsmen to support Rahul who is in excellent form. Talking to the media before DC’s match against Rajasthan Royals, Bell said, ‘If we look at the top-4 teams at the moment, there is a lot of stability in their batting. I think lack of consistency in batting has been a problem we have been working on for some time now.

He further said, ‘KL Rahul has also had a great year. He has increased his strike rate, which a lot of people had asked him to do but we need better performances and more consistency from other players as well.

What did Bel say on Akshar’s flop show?

DC is currently seventh in the table with 10 points from 12 matches and needs help from other teams besides winning both its remaining matches to maintain hopes of reaching the playoffs. Captain Akshar’s lackluster performance with both bat and ball has been the biggest disappointment for the team but Bell is hopeful that the all-rounder will finish the season on a high note.

Bell said, ‘I think it is very important to support them and be around them. It is not easy. He is an important player not only for this franchise but also for India in T20 cricket. Obviously, he is probably more disappointed than anyone else.

This former England batsman said, ‘Hopefully he can finish well. We know what he can do at his best and we have to keep supporting him during this time.