DC dedicate seven-wicket win to fans Yagya, Abhav killed in hit-and-run
Synopsis
Delhi Capitals' seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals became a platform for mourning when head coach Hemang Badani and skipper Axar Patel dedicated the victory to Yagya and Abhav Bhatia, two young franchise supporters killed in a hit-and-run on April 27. The cousins, aged 20 and 14, were active members of the 'DC Toli' fan group and had become recognisable faces within the DC community.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in Jaipur on May 2 , snapping a three-match losing streak .
Yagya Bhatia (20) and Abhav Bhatia (14), cousins and active DC Toli supporters, were killed in a hit-and-run on April 27 near Mahadev Road T-point , Ashoka Road .
Head coach Hemang Badani and skipper Axar Patel publicly dedicated the win to the two deceased fans in the dressing room and post-match presentation.
Both victims were residents of Ashok Nagar and were returning home from DC's match against RCB at Arun Jaitley Stadium when struck by a truck.
A truck allegedly fled the scene; both were declared dead on arrival at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital .
Delhi Capitals snapped a three-match losing streak with a seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on May 2, but the win carried profound emotional weight — the franchise dedicated the result to two young supporters, Yagya Bhatia and Abhav Bhatia, cousins who died in a hit-and-run accident on April 27.
The two victims, residents of Ashok Nagar aged 20 and 14 respectively, were struck by a truck on Ashoka Road near the Mahadev Road T-point while returning home after attending DC's match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Both were pronounced dead on arrival at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Head coach's tribute in the dressing room
Following Friday's win, DC head coach Hemang Badani addressed the squad in the dressing room, explicitly dedicating the victory to the deceased fans. "This win is dedicated to the two lads who unfortunately aren't with us anymore, two DC fans, Yagya and Abhav Bhatia. This win is for them," Badani said in a video later shared by the franchise on social media. He noted that both were familiar faces within the DC community and prominent members of the 'DC Toli' supporters group.
Captain Axar Patel's acknowledgement
DC skipper Axar Patel extended the tribute during the post-match presentation, saying: "I would just like to add that — following the tragedy involving our fans after the last match — I want to express my deepest condolences for their loss. I would like to dedicate this victory to them; they were two members of our DC family." The captain's words underscored how deeply the incident had resonated within the franchise.
Who were Yagya and Abhav
Yagya and Abhav were active members of the 'DC Toli' supporters group and had built a strong presence among fellow fans through their passionate backing of the franchise. Their images had reportedly been shared frequently on the franchise's Instagram account, making them recognisable figures within the DC fanbase. Both were from Ashok Nagar in New Delhi.
The accident and police investigation
According to police reports, a truck allegedly struck the motorcycle the cousins were riding near Mahadev Road T-point on Ashoka Road before fleeing the scene. The hit-and-run incident occurred on the evening of April 27 as the two were heading home from the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Both were declared dead on arrival at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Significance beyond the scoreline
The victory over Rajasthan Royals thus transcended routine cricket statistics. For a franchise that had lost three consecutive matches, the seven-wicket win marked a return to winning form, but for the DC community — players, coaching staff, and supporters — it represented a moment to honour two of their own and acknowledge the fragility of life beyond the boundary.
Point of View
Acknowledged their place within the DC community, and made the win secondary to the loss. In a sport often criticised for compartmentalising human tragedy, this was a rare moment of institutional accountability. The question now is whether DC and the IPL will channel this sentiment into broader fan safety protocols at stadiums and in surrounding areas — or whether the tribute remains a one-off gesture.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Yagya and Abhav Bhatia?
Yagya Bhatia (20) and Abhav Bhatia (14) were cousins from Ashok Nagar, New Delhi, and active members of the 'DC Toli' supporters group. They were recognisable figures within the Delhi Capitals fanbase and had built a strong presence through their passionate backing of the franchise.
How did the accident occur?
On April 27, while returning home after attending Delhi Capitals' match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Arun Jaitley Stadium, a truck allegedly struck the motorcycle the cousins were riding near Mahadev Road T-point on Ashoka Road. The truck fled the scene. Both were declared dead on arrival at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
What did DC head coach Hemang Badani say about the tragedy?
In the dressing room following the seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals on May 2, Badani addressed the squad, saying: 'This win is dedicated to the two lads who unfortunately aren't with us anymore, two DC fans, Yagya and Abhav Bhatia.' He noted they were familiar faces within the DC community and massive supporters of the franchise.
How did skipper Axar Patel respond?
Axar Patel extended the tribute during the post-match presentation, expressing his deepest condolences and dedicating the victory to the two deceased fans, calling them 'two members of our DC family.'
What was the significance of the win?
The seven-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals snapped a three-match losing streak for Delhi Capitals, but its significance lay in the emotional tribute the franchise paid to two of its supporters, transcending the scoreline and acknowledging the fragility of life beyond cricket.
