Axar Patel Named Delhi Capitals Captain for IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals (DC) have officially announced all-rounder Axar Patel as their captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The 30-year-old left-arm spinner and hard-hitting batsman will take over the leadership role from Rishabh Pant, who joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the mega auction.
This decision marks a new chapter for Delhi Capitals, as Axar Patel steps into the leadership role after serving as the team’s vice-captain in recent seasons.
A Long-Term DC Player Gets the Top Role
Axar Patel has been a key player for Delhi Capitals since 2019, featuring in 82 matches for the franchise. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him DC’s top retention for INR 16.5 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction.
While Patel’s IPL captaincy experience is limited to just one game in IPL 2024—a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) where he led in Pant’s absence—he has substantial leadership experience in domestic cricket. He has previously captained Gujarat in 16 T20 matches and was recently promoted as India’s T20I vice-captain.
Rishabh Pant’s Move to Lucknow Super Giants
Pant, who was Delhi Capitals’ captain for multiple seasons, was not among the team’s retentions for IPL 2025. Instead, he opted to enter the auction, where Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) acquired him for a record-breaking INR 27 crore—the highest bid in IPL history.
Axar Patel’s Vision for Delhi Capitals
Axar on His New Leadership Role
Upon being named captain, Axar Patel expressed his gratitude to the franchise and support staff:
“It is my absolute honor to captain the Delhi Capitals. I’ve grown as a cricketer and a human being here, and I feel ready to lead this side. The auction has helped us assemble a well-balanced squad, and I can’t wait to take on this responsibility and aim for a successful season with the team.”
Axar Patel’s extensive T20 experience includes 274 matches, where he has amassed 3088 runs and taken 239 wickets, including a famous hat-trick in IPL 2016 while playing for Punjab.
Delhi Capitals’ Management Backs Axar Patel
DC Chairman: A Natural Leader
Delhi Capitals’ Chairman, Kiran Kumar Grandhi, expressed confidence in Axar’s leadership abilities:
“Axar has been an integral part of the DC family since 2019. His promotion to captain reflects his natural progression as a leader. Having served as vice-captain for two seasons, he has always stepped up when needed, and we are confident he will excel in his new role.”
Parth Jindal on Axar’s Impact
DC co-owner Parth Jindal also praised Patel’s growth:
“Since we picked Axar in 2019, I have seen him evolve into a mature cricketer. He has been a crucial part of our squad and is a well-respected figure in the dressing room. With experienced leaders like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc in the squad, I believe this is the beginning of something special for Delhi Capitals.”
Delhi Capitals vs. Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025 Opener
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2025 campaign with a high-voltage home match against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 in Visakhapatnam. The match will be particularly significant as Axar Patel’s DC takes on Rishabh Pant’s LSG in what promises to be an electrifying season opener.
For more updates on the IPL 2025 schedule and team news, check out IPL’s official website.
