Bell points to home struggles, batting instability in Delhi Capitals’ uneven season

Not much has gone right for Delhi Capitals this season. After cruising to a win against Mumbai Indians in its own backyard, it has since lurched between extremes – either being comprehensively outplayed or left to endure heartbreaks.

Assistant coach Ian Bell did not sugarcoat the reality. For him, the inability to capitalize on home advantage, not just this season, but in campaigns gone by as well, is a failing that inevitably undermines any team’s ambitions.

“It has been a crazy season that way. We scored 264 (vs. Punjab Kings) and followed that up by getting all out for 75. You can’t win competitions if you’re that inconsistent. We have to accept that that’s reality.”

“In front of your home fans, you want to make this a fortress. We want to finish on a real high here. It’s really important that the performance (vs Royals) that people can go away excited and proud of the team.”

The former England batsman pointed to inconsistency as the defining gap between DC and the teams entrenched in the top four.

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“The combinations haven’t quite worked for us. Not having that stability in the batting lineup is something that obviously we’re working towards. Players need to take the opportunities and turn them into match-winning performances.”

Bell, however, brushed aside concerns over skipper Axar Patel’s inconsistent campaign.

“He’s obviously more disappointed than anyone. He’s desperate to do well for this franchise and himself. We know what he can do at his best and we’ve got to keep supporting him through that. It happens to all cricketers. You have to ride it and keep backing yourself.”

The 44-year-old also marked the Capitals’ prime target on Sunday. “When you play Rajasthan, he (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is the prize wicket.”

Published on May 16, 2026