Axar Patel Named Delhi Capitals Captain for IPL 2025-A New Beginning

The Delhi Capitals have welcomed a new beginning by naming experienced all-rounder Axar Patel as their captain for the highly-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Patel, a key cog in the Capitals' team since 2019, assumes command after Rishabh Pant joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) through the mega auction. This transition is a crucial turning point for the team's strategy, as they seek to forge a new identity under Patel's leadership.

The Leadership Shift-Axar Replaces Pant

Rishabh Pant, who had captained the Capitals in earlier seasons, was not one of the franchise's retention list for the 2025 season. He instead opted to go into the auction, where he signed a record INR 27 crore contract with LSG. Following Pant's exit, the Capitals looked at their most reliable player, Axar Patel, who was retained for INR 16.5 crore.

While Axar has limited captaincy experience in the IPL, he did take over Delhi Capitals for a short while during the 2024 season when Pant was suspended due to slow over-rate. Despite the team's defeat in the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), his leadership qualities didn't go unnoticed. Moreover, his captaincy credentials go beyond the IPL as well since he has also captained Gujarat in 16 T20 games and has been named India's T20I vice-captain recently.

Axar Patel's Odyssey with Delhi Capitals

Since becoming a part of the Delhi Capitals in 2019, Axar Patel has been an invaluable member of the team's organization. In the last few seasons, he has featured in 82 games for the franchise and has established himself as a trusty all-rounder. His capability of scoring runs with the bat as well as taking wickets with the ball has made him an important player, and his phenomenal statistics are proof of his reliability. Having represented the team in 274 T20 games in his career, Patel has scored 3,088 runs with eight half-centuries and has taken 239 wickets. The high points of his IPL career include taking a hat-trick in 2016 during a game with Punjab, reflecting his match-winning skills.

Axar Patel Responds to His Appointment

Thanking for his appointment, Patel indicated his excitement and commitment to leading the Capitals to victory.

"It is my privilege to lead the Delhi Capitals, and I'm extremely thankful to our owners and support staff for having faith in me to do so. My experience with DC has been one of development—both as a player and as an individual—and I believe I am ready to take up this challenge. The team management has done a great job at the mega auction, putting together a well-balanced team with immense potential. With a strong leadership unit and an amazing fan base supporting us, I am excited to take this team into a new and exciting era," said Patel.

Management and Team Owners' Support

Delhi Capitals chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi spoke highly of Patel's leadership, labeling it a natural step.

"Axar has been a part of the Capitals' family since 2019, and he is the epitome of the values that represent our team. From being the vice-captain for two years to now taking on the mantle of the leader, he has always performed when it mattered the most. With the complete support of our coaching staff and veteran players, we are confident that he will thrive in this role," Grandhi said.

At the same time, Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal discussed his own personal relationship with Patel and his belief in his leadership abilities.

"Having chosen Axar personally in 2019, I've seen him grow first-hand. His presence in the dressing room speaks for itself—he is highly respected and is one of those players who can motivate his colleagues. His transformation from specialist bowler to all-rounder of huge worth was on display in India's T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy successes. I'm sure this is the start of something special for Delhi Capitals with Axar leading the charge."

The Road Ahead for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025

The Delhi Capitals begin their IPL 2025 campaign with a mouth-watering tie against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 in Visakhapatnam. The game will be an intriguing one as it will pit former DC skipper Rishabh Pant, who is now leading LSG, against his previous team. The two teams will engage in an intense battle and set the stage for what can be a thrilling season.

With veterans like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc being a part of the team's leadership cadre, Patel will have some good support in place. Delhi Capitals have developed a strong unit with a balance of veteran campaigners and young gunpowder, and Patel's hiring marks the beginning of something new for the franchise.

Final Thoughts

Axar Patel's rise to captaincy is a reflection of his regular performances and leadership abilities. As Delhi Capitals start a new journey with him at the helm, fans of the team will be looking to see a rejuvenated team able to make a strong statement for the IPL title. With a balanced team, a shrewd captain, and the desire to win, the Capitals are ready to make a telling contribution in the next season.