Delhi Capitals (DC) have named Axar Patel as their captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 31-year-old all-rounder, who has been a key part of the franchise since 2019, takes over the leadership role following Rishabh Pant’s departure.
A Natural Leader for Delhi Capitals
Axar has been DC’s backbone over the past six seasons, playing 82 matches and contributing with both bat and ball. His consistent performances saw him retained for INR 16.50 crore ahead of the mega auction in November 2024, making him the franchise’s top retention.
While Axar’s captaincy experience at the IPL level is limited—he led DC in just one match last season—he has gained leadership exposure in domestic cricket. He has captained Gujarat in 23 matches across formats, including the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Additionally, his appointment as India’s T20I vice-captain in January 2024 highlights his growing stature as a leader.
Expressing his excitement, Axar said in a DC statement:
“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. 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.”
A Strong Squad to Support Axar
Delhi Capitals have built a formidable squad for the upcoming season. The team includes experienced leaders like KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis, both of whom have captained IPL franchises before, along with senior international players like Mitchell Starc.
Axar acknowledged the strength of the squad, stating:
“Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by putting together a balanced and robust squad with tremendous potential. We have plenty of leaders in the group, which is also very helpful for me, and I can’t wait to join the team as we look forward to a very successful season.”
DC Management Confident in Axar’s Leadership
Delhi Capitals chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi emphasized that Axar’s appointment was a natural progression, given his contributions to the team over the years.
“He has been an integral part of the Capitals family since 2019 and embodies the values that this team is built on. This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader—from being our vice-captain for two seasons to now leading the team. He has always stepped up to the occasion for us.”
DC co-owner Parth Jindal also expressed his confidence in Axar’s leadership abilities:
“Having personally picked Axar in 2019, my relationship with him goes beyond cricket. Over the last two years as vice-captain, he has been a much-loved character in the dressing room and will surely motivate the players in the squad.”
Looking Ahead to IPL 2025
With Axar Patel at the helm, Delhi Capitals will aim for a strong IPL 2025 campaign. His experience, consistency, and leadership qualities make him a promising choice to guide the team. Supported by a well-balanced squad and a solid leadership group, Axar will be looking to lead DC to their maiden IPL title.
The Delhi Capitals fans will now eagerly wait to see how their new captain steers the team in the upcoming season.
