Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel admitted they were 10-15 runs short of a par score after they suffered an eight-wicket loss against Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday. DC managed 155-7 after winning the toss at their home venue as they failed to achieve the impetus on a tricky pitch.

Furthermore, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and thus could not accelerate in the middle overs. Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi scored 38 and 40 runs respectively but none of the other batters could deliver for the hosts.

Axar Patel said in the post-match presentation, “Obviously, the way the wicket was playing in the first innings, I felt that yes, 155 was a good score. But since we were playing with eight batters, I felt we were about 10-15 runs short.”

Patel feels the pitch got better to bat in the second innings but a set batter like Sanju Samson made a difference as he scored a match-winning knock of 87 runs off just 52 balls.

Patel added, “I feel it got a little better, but I think the difference was made by the set batter. When a batter is well set, it feels like there is nothing in the pitch, but I still feel there was something in it. For a new batter coming in, it was not easy. Yes, it wasn’t easy for new players because, you know, the length balls were holding up, sometimes staying low, and occasionally even bouncing after holding. So I feel it was very difficult for new batters. But when set batters were playing, it looked easier. You could see the way Sanju took the game forward.”

The all-rounder said it was a positive that they were able to post 155 runs on the board despite losing early wickets.

He concluded, “Yes, obviously, considering our batting, I think that’s a positive. Even after losing five wickets, the way we finished at the end was good. So yes, that is a positive. But I feel in bowling, I missed my partner Kuldeep.”

Delhi Capitals will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Friday.