Delhi Capitals’ return to winning ways against Rajasthan Royals on Friday carried far deeper meaning than just two points on the table. The victory turned into a moment of remembrance as the team paid tribute to two young fans, Yagya Bhatia and his cousin Abhav Bhatia, who lost their lives in a recent road accident.
The franchise shared a heartfelt video from the dressing room, where head coach Hemang Badani addressed the players and dedicated the win to the deceased supporters. The emotional gesture resonated widely with fans across the cricketing community.
Badani’s heartfelt message in the dressing room
In the video posted by Delhi Capitals, Badani spoke with visible emotion, reminding the squad of the bond they shared with the two fans. He said," 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. I think you guys have done them proud.
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"They are massive DC fans; they’ve been with us for a while. You might have even seen their images on Instagram. This is for them. Well done, boys, very well done. Good stuff."
Team mourns loss, Axar echoes tribute
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel also addressed the tragedy after the match, expressing grief on behalf of the team. He extended condolences to the bereaved family and acknowledged that the loss had emotionally impacted the squad.
This win is for you, Yagya and Abhav 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/Za46QHSkyK
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 2, 2026
Axar emphasised that the two youngsters were part of the “DC family” and reiterated that the victory was dedicated to them. His comments reflected the collective mourning within the team and the desire to honour their memory on the field.
The tragic accident that shook the DC community
The incident occurred on April 24 after a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals. Yagya, who had previously been involved as a net bowler with the team, was riding back home in West Delhi with his 14-year-old cousin Abhav.
𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀.
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 30, 2026
We mourn the tragic loss of Abhav (14) and Yagya Bhatia (20), members of the DC Toli.
They have been in the stands with us, cheering for Dilli. Today, we stand with their families and loved ones in this moment of… pic.twitter.com/Hp8iY3IXqL
At around 10:30 PM, their bike was hit by a truck on Ashok Road in Central Delhi, leading to a fatal accident. Both lost their lives, leaving the cricket fraternity and fans in deep shock. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the Delhi Capitals camp, but Friday’s win became a moment of unity and remembrance, ensuring that Yagya and Abhav will continue to be part of every cheer, every celebration, and every step forward for the team.