New Delhi — With just a week left for the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, Delhi Capitals (DC) have made a bold move by appointing star all-rounder Axar Patel as their new captain. Axar will lead the side in what promises to be a fresh chapter for the franchise.
KL Rahul Misses Captaincy Race Despite Big Auction Purchase
There was widespread speculation that KL Rahul, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for a whopping ₹14 crore during the IPL 2025 auction, would be handed the captaincy reins. However, the franchise has shown faith in Axar Patel’s leadership abilities, choosing experience and loyalty over a high-profile name.
Axar has previously captained Baroda in domestic T20s, leading them in 16 matches with an impressive 10 wins. This leadership background appears to have been a key factor in Delhi’s decision.
Axar’s Previous Leadership Experience
Axar Patel was given a one-off opportunity to captain Delhi Capitals in the 2024 season during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the team suffered a 47-run loss, Axar’s leadership was appreciated.
As a T20 captain, Axar has been effective both with bat and ball. He has scored 364 runs at an average of 36.40, with a highest score of 57—registered against RCB last year. In the bowling department, he has claimed 13 wickets at an average of 29.07.
Axar Patel Reacts to His Appointment
Reacting to his appointment, Axar said, “It’s an honour to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. I’m thankful to the team owners and support staff for their trust in me. My journey with DC has helped me grow both as a player and as a person. I feel confident and prepared to take on this responsibility.”
Delhi Capitals Full Squad for IPL 2025
- Axar Patel (Captain)
- KL Rahul
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Tristan Stubbs
- Abhishek Porel
- Mitchell Starc
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- T. Natarajan
- Karun Nair
- Sameer Rizvi
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Mohit Sharma
- Faf du Plessis
- Mukesh Kumar
- Darshan Nalkande
- Vipraj Nigam
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Donovan Ferreira
- Ajay Mandal
- Manavant Kumar
- Tripurana Vijay
- Madhav Tiwari
IPL 2025: Full Schedule Highlights
- Opening Match: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru — March 22, 7:30 PM, Kolkata
- DC’s First Match: Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants — March 24, 7:30 PM, Visakhapatnam
- Blockbuster Clash: CSK vs MI — March 23, 7:30 PM, Chennai
Other notable fixtures include Delhi Capitals taking on Mumbai Indians on April 13 in Delhi and their reverse fixture against RCB on April 27 in the capital. The league stage is packed with action till the end of April, with the playoffs schedule to be announced soon.
With Axar Patel at the helm, Delhi Capitals are hoping to end their title drought and make a strong impact in IPL 2025. All eyes will now be on the all-rounder to see how he handles this new leadership challenge.
