IPL 2026: ‘Don’t control pitch…’- Hemang Badani breaks silence after DC’s fourth successive home defeat

Since the last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Delhi Capitals have lost eight of their 10 games at home- the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. However, at the other venues, they have earned nine victories in 14 encounters, including a no-result, during the same period. Out of those two wins at home for this side, one came in the Super Over in 2025.

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The story has been bizarre for them in the ongoing edition, where the Axar Patel-led side faced their fourth successive defeat of the campaign. Despite making a strong start to the event, they couldn’t do well in the middle phase and found themselves in seventh position on the points table.

DC head coach responds to pitch criticism of IPL 2026

The Delhi Capitals’ head coach, Hemang Badani, reckoned that the team would not come to terms with the surfaces at their home. He added that the home sides won’t have a say in selecting the surfaces they play on, and the BCCO looks after the 22 yards.

“We don't have any control over the surfaces. As much as one would like to think that we are in control of the surface that we want to play on, there is a clear mandate from the BCCI that they look after the surfaces, and they are the ones who ensure that there's no local side that gets benefit out of the surfaces.” Badani expressed in the post-match press conference.

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“So, you play what is presented to you. And yes, it's been a bit of an up-and-down curve for us to understand what we are going to get at Delhi, which is our home.” He addressed.

Against RCB’s strong pace unit, they provided a greenish surface, while against PBKS, they offered a flat track where over 520 runs were scored in 40 overs. And finally, they came up with a slow surface against the Chennai Super Kings, which was the bread and butter for the latter.

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“Seventy-five (75) one game, one game was 265. Again, this was a surface that spun. But there's little control that any side has on the surface. It's not about us. I think the whole comp itself is quite neutral that way. Every side has to find a way to win those games. But yeah, ideally you want to have some consistency.” The former batter responded.

Delhi Capitals struggle to qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs

Delhi has bagged four victories in 10 clashes so far to be at the sixth position at a net run rate of -0.949. The loss against CSK on May 05 was their fourth defeat in the last five encounters, while in the last eight games of the season, they have faced six losses.

To be in that position and given how the other franchises have performed, it would be very unlikely for the 2020 runners-up to make it into the top four of the table. Their next game will be against the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 08 at home.