Star Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is expected to be named the Delhi Capitals' IPL 2025 captain. Since joining the team in 2019, he has even captained the Capitals in a few games over the previous two seasons. He is now more likely to be promoted to permanent captain than KL Rahul, who the team purchased in the mega auction, according to the ANI report. As the Capitals also purchased seasoned players like Faf du Plessis during the most recent super auction, Patel's selection as captain above established proven leaders like Rahul and Du Plessis demonstrates the management's confidence in the all-rounder's skills.
Prior to the 2025 mega auction, the team retained four players, including the star Indian all-rounder. He was instrumental in India's victory in the T20 World Cup last year and was recently selected India's vice-captain for the T20I series against England. Over the years, he has consistently performed well for the Delhi Capitals, scoring more than 200 runs and taking more than ten wickets in the last two seasons.
Parth Jindal previously hinted this as well
Many believed that the Delhi Capitals had acquired KL Rahul because they would promote him as their captain when they paid INR 14 crore for him at the mega auction. Parth Jindal, a co-owner of DC, had also hinted that there is a good probability the team may instead give Axar Patel the captaincy.
"It's a bit premature to talk about the captaincy. Axar Patel has been with the franchise for a very long time and he was the vice-captain for the last cycle, so we don't know whether it's going to be Axar or whether it's going to be somebody else," Jindal had told ESPNCricinfo.
However, his selection over KL Rahul is an interesting one, and it most likely also stems from Rahul's lack of success as IPL captain. After leading the Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, KL Rahul was released by LSG and purchased by DC for 14 crores. He will probably start the team's innings, and Axar Patel will need to figure out how to unite the players and lead the Delhi Capitals to unprecedented heights.
After finishing sixth in the previous season and failing to win the Indian Premier League, the Delhi-based team decided to cut ties with Rishabh Pant. This season, they have put together a formidable team, and with a change in captain and management, they would hope to do better under Axar Patel.