Kolkata: Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani said his team struggled with consistency and failed to take advantage of important situations in key games. DC finished sixth in the 2026 IPL with seven wins and seven losses, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Several close matches slipped away, including a one-run loss to Gujarat Titans and an inability to defend 264 against Punjab Kings. Dropped catches also hurt results versus Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Badani noted at the post-match press conference that many games could have gone either way but DC did not seize those moments. The batting often lost wickets in clusters and the bowling attack took just 64 wickets in 14 matches, among the lowest totals. The absence of Mitchell Starc for much of the season added to the challenges, though Badani said the side still had chances to qualify. DC and Punjab Kings remain the only original IPL franchises without a title, with the Capitals’ best result being runners-up in 2020.
