As DC strives for their first championship, a left-arm spin-bowling all-arounder will collaborate with a new coaching staff.
The Delhi Capitals (DC) have named Axar Patel their IPL 2025 captain. Prior to last November’s massive auction, he was DC’s top retainer at INR 16.50 crore, having joined the company in 2019. In January of this year, he was selected India’s T20I vice-captain, despite having no experience as a skipper.
In 23 games across all formats, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2024–2025, Axar, 31, has captained his state side, Gujarat. Last year, when Rishabh Pant was serving a ban for a sluggish over-rate, he captained DC in one IPL match, a must-win match that they lost to RCB to miss out on the playoffs.
Axar was their most seasoned player after Pant left the DC organization prior to the huge auction. He has participated in 82 matches for them over six seasons; in the previous season, he got 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.65 and scored 235 runs at an average of over 30.
“It is my absolute honour to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me,” Axar said in a DC statement. “I’ve grown as a cricketer and a human being during my time here at the Capitals, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward.
Senior international players Mitchell Starc and KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis, who have both managed former IPL teams in the past, are part of the team.All five clubs that required a new captain following the massive auction have named their leaders, with DC announcing Axar. Rajat Patidar will lead RCB, Ajinkya Rahane will lead Kolkata Knight Riders, Rishabh Pant will lead Lucknow Super Giants, and Shreyas Iyer will lead Punjab Kings.
