Axar Patel Named Delhi Capitals Captain Ahead of IPL Season

NEW DELHI, India — Axar Patel, the seasoned spin-bowling all-rounder, has been appointed the captain of the Delhi Capitals as the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaches. The announcement was made by the franchise on Friday, March 14.

The 31-year-old Patel, who has been with the Capitals since 2019, takes over the leadership role from Rishabh Pant following his transition to the Lucknow Super Giants. Patel is not only the longest-serving player for the team, but he has also amassed 967 runs and garnered 62 wickets in 82 matches at an economy rate of 7.09.

“It is my absolute honor to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me,” Patel said in a 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.”

Patel’s experience is further underscored by his recent contributions to India’s Champions Trophy win earlier this month, where he claimed five wickets with an impressive economy rate of 4.35 and played a pivotal role batting at number five.

The Delhi Capitals’ upcoming IPL campaign will kick off in Visakhapatnam on March 24 against the Lucknow Super Giants. Last season, the Capitals finished sixth in the standings, winning seven matches and losing seven.

While Patel has limited captaincy experience, he led his state team Gujarat in various formats and has been a vice-captain for the Indian T20I team since January. Under Pant’s temporary absence last season due to a slow over-rate ban, he captained the Delhi team in a crucial match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, though they were unable to secure a playoff spot.

The Capitals’ leadership transition comes on the back of a major auction strategy, with Patel being the highest retention at INR 16.50 crore prior to the mega auction. During the auction, the team successfully added depth to its ranks, including senior players like KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis, who have prior captaincy experience in the league.

“We are delighted to appoint Axar as the Delhi Capitals captain. He has been an integral part of the Capitals family since 2019 and embodies the values that this team is built on,” said Kiran Kumar Grandhi, DC chairman. “This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader, and I am confident he will excel in this role.”

Co-owner Parth Jindal expressed his confidence in Patel’s ability to drive the team forward, emphasizing his growth and influence within the squad. “He is a much-loved character in the dressing room and will motivate the players effectively,” Jindal noted.

As DC gears up for the season, Patel aims to leverage the talented roster at his disposal, which he believes holds significant promise. “Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by assembling a balanced and robust squad,” Patel added.

With the IPL 2025 season set to unfold soon, Axar Patel prepares for this new chapter in his cricketing journey, poised to lead the Delhi Capitals towards a championship title.