Watch: Sarfaraz Khan’s stunning catch dismisses Axar Patel for 1 during CSK vs DC clash in IPL 2026

When the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) reached 61/0 inside the powerplay of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against the Delhi Capitals (DC), the home side was expected to cross the 230-run mark. But despite the fine century from Sanju Samson, they somehow ended up with 212/2. 

Chennai’s death bowling had been an issue, and they felt the heat in the last two encounters against the Punjab Kings in the chase and against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the first innings. This meant that the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side needed to pick early wickets to put pressure on the visitors at the start.

Sarfaraz Khan grabs outstanding catch in IPL 2026

Delhi was phenomenal in smacking the new CSK bowlers around the park inside the powerplay as they raced away to 61 runs in 4.5 overs before losing KL Rahul. Two balls later in the last over of the powerplay, they saw the return of Pathum Nissanka, who was the main aggressor with 41 runs in 24 balls.

Gurjapneet Singh, who made his debut in the IPL for the Super Kings, picked up his first wicket of the event in the form of Axar Patel. But he would know that it was possible only because of the stunning catch from Sarfaraz Khan at the point region.

Watch the video here:

It was a short length delivery outside the off stump as Axar went on the back foot and cut it really hard, but couldn’t keep it down. Sarfaraz dived to his right and grabbed the catch with both hands. He was superb as he managed to keep the ball in his hands, and that lifted the entire side.

CSK pick successive wickets after DC’s clinical start

CSK was smashed around the park by the DC opening pair of Rahul and Nissanka. But Khaleel Ahmed drew first blood with the wicket of the former, who pulled the short ball and mistimed it into the hands of the mid-wicket region. Nissanka, two balls later, drove the pitched-up delivery into the hands of mid-on.

See Also: Watch: Ayush Mhatre celebrates 27-ball fifty with back-to-back sixes during CSK vs DC clash in IPL 2026

Jamie Overton picked the vital wicket of inform Sameer Rizvi for six runs. It was a short ball as the right-handed batter’s mistimed pull shot found the square leg fielder, and Delhi lost their track after the power play.

Brief Scores: (at the time of writing) DC 121/4 (Pathum Nissanka 41, J Overton 1/3) vs CSK 212/2 (Sanju Samson 115*, A Mhatre 59, Axar Patel 1/39) 

Fans react to Sarfaraz’s catch to dismiss Axar in IPL 2026

Here is how the fans have reacted to Sarfaraz dismissing Axar in the IPL 2026-