Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 24 signed off with in their last Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match. DC registered three consecutive wins to cap off a disappointing campaign. After the win at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, skipper was asked about the strongest team in the playoffs. He snubbed defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT) who have qualified for Qualifier 1 and picked Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as favourites.
“I think SRH are looking very strong. When their top 3 score runs, that team becomes very difficult to stop. So I think SRH,” Axar told the broadcasters in the post-match presentation.
SRHs top 3’s numbers
SRH’s top three have been menacing. Abhishek Sharma has scored 563 runs from 14 innings at a strike rate of 206.22. He has a century and four fifties. His opening partner Travis Head is not in the orange cap race but the Australian has amassed 393 runs at a strike rate of 168.66 featuring two fifties. Also, he is considered as a big game player. Their no.3, Ishan Kishan has been in the form of his life with 569 runs from outings at a strike rate of 178.36. He has six fifties in the season already.
Not just about top 3
While the top order has done its job, it is Heinrich Klaasen who has been batting at his best. His strike rate of 159.47 may not be as threatening as one would want it to be. But, he has controlled games in the middle overs. The Proteas batter has scored 606 runs already, including six fifties.
In addition, the Pat Cummins-led side’s bowling attack has evolved in the tournament. Sakib Hussain has troubled batters with his slower ones and has 15 scalps from 10 games already. Their overseas recruit Eshan Malinga has 19 wickets to his name. Praful Hinge has been expensive but has delivered with 11 wickets from six games.
In their last league stage game, SRH beat RCB by 55 runs after posting 255 runs on the board. SRH will now face Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator clash in Mullanpur on May 27.