“They need him more involved in performance”

Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock urged Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel to show up with bat and ball ahead of the side’s crucial IPL 2026 clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 5. Axar has been well below his best thus far this season, especially with the willow.

Axar has scored only 31 runs at an average of 6.20 and a strike rate of 100 in six innings. His left-arm spin hasn’t been as effective as usual, with eight wickets in nine games at an average of almost 30 and an economy of 8.53.

Talking about Axar Patel’s importance ahead of the CSK encounter, Pollock said on Cricbuzz (22:26):

“They will need more from Axar with bat and ball. He is a good player and is going alright from a captaincy perspective. But they need him more involved in performance. If they are to go far in this tournament, he needs to step up with both bat and ball.”

Axar’s middling season has meant DC are struggling at seventh on the points table with four wins in nine matches.

“Was a surprise that Akeal Hosein was left out in the last game” – Shaun Pollock on CSK’s lineup

Shaun Pollock expressed surprise at CSK dropping left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein in their previous outing against the Mumbai Indians. The West Indian has been impressive this season, picking up six wickets in four games at an average of 18.16 and an economy of under eight.

“It was a surprise that Akeal Hosein was left out in the last game after getting four wickets against MI. They didn’t use the fourth overseas player in the last game. The surface in Delhi will probably determine if Akeal plays. He turned it properly against MI and was almost unplayable,” said Pollock (via the aforementioned source).

The former South African also urged Dewald Brevis to step up with the bat, adding:

“It’s important for him to score some runs. He hasn’t really hit his straps. He also hasn’t had the chance to get firing in the last few games because they’ve played well without him. But you need your big players for the rest of the tournament, and he is one of them. Otherwise, it’s not going to get you into contention.”

Brevis has been disappointing thus far this season, averaging only 16 at a strike rate of under 121 in six outings. Like DC, CSK have also won only four of their nine matches, making the upcoming clash crucial for playoff spots.