“We were 15-20 runs short” : Rajat Patidar reflects on defeat to Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals are back on track in IPL 2026, as they claimed a victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Saturday’s first game. The Capitals managed to win by six wickets, as David Miller redeemed himself from his costly error against Gujarat Titans.

The South African smashed two sixes, and one boundary in the final over to get his side over the line, with only one ball to spare. RCB skipper Rajat Patidar reflected on the defeat, and stated that they were 15-20 runs short in the first innings.

RCB posted a first innings total of 175 runs, despite a strong start by openers Virat Kohli and Philip Salt. The middle order could not get going as DC chipped in with regular wickets. Rajat Patidar was nevertheless impressed with the team’s effort to take the game to the last over.

“That was very close, but I feel that we were 15-20 runs short. The way we started initially, especially Virat bhai and Salt, they have given a good start, but from there, after 12-13 overs, we lost wickets in a couple of overs and that put us on the backseat. I think in the first inning, it was a bit tacky, I would say. But I think the way we stretched in the last over, I think that’s a positive sign for us. But I think I was just discussing with the bowlers that be clear whatever you do. It’s a long tournament, but I think we will go back and introspect where we put the errors and we’ll rectify them,” said Patidar.

For RCB, they now have four wins in their six games, and will miss an opportunity to climb to the top of the points table. Delhi Capitals leapfrogged into the fourth place, as they now have three wins from their five games. For Delhi Capitals, they next travel to Hyderabad to face SRH on Tuesday. Meanwhile, RCB will have a couple of days off before their last game at Chinnaswamy against the Gujarat Titans on Friday.