Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani acknowledged that his team’s lack of consistency and inability to capitalize on key moments in crucial matches cost them a spot in the playoffs. Despite finishing in sixth place in the IPL 2026 season with seven wins and seven defeats, DC fell short of qualifying for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. Several close matches, including a one-run loss to Gujarat Titans and a failure to defend a massive total against Punjab Kings, highlighted DC’s missed opportunities. Dropped catches also proved costly in losses against Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Badani attributed DC’s struggles to batting collapses and a lack of wicket-taking ability from the bowling attack, which only managed 64 wickets in 14 games, the joint-lowest in the league. The absence of pace spearhead Mitchell Starc, who missed a significant portion of the season, further impacted DC’s performance.
Despite Starc’s absence, Badani believed that DC had chances to qualify for the playoffs if they had seized crucial moments. He emphasized the need to improve on small margins to achieve better results in future seasons. DC and Punjab Kings are the only original IPL teams yet to win the trophy, with DC’s best finish coming in 2020 as runners-up to Mumbai Indians.
Published on May 25, 2026.
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