Axar Patel Appointed as Delhi Capitals Captain for IPL 2025

Axar Patel Named Delhi Capitals Captain for IPL 2025

Axar Patel has been appointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) for the IPL 2025 season. Having joined DC in 2019, Axar was the franchise's top retention at INR 16.50 crore ahead of last year's mega auction. Though his leadership experience is limited, he was named India's T20I vice-captain earlier this year.

The 31-year-old has previously captained Gujarat in 23 matches across various domestic formats, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2024-25 season. He also led DC in one IPL match last year when Rishabh Pant was suspended due to a slow over-rate.

Following Pant’s exit from the DC setup, Axar emerged as the team's most experienced player, having played 82 matches across six seasons. In the previous IPL season, he scored 235 runs at an average of nearly 30 and claimed 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.65.

Expressing his gratitude, Axar said, "It is my absolute honour to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I'm deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me. I've grown as a cricketer and a human being during my time here, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward."

DC chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi emphasized Axar's journey within the franchise, stating, "Axar has been an integral part of the Capitals family since 2019 and embodies the values that this team is built on. This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader, and we have full confidence in his abilities."

Co-owner Parth Jindal also praised Axar's growth, saying, "Having personally picked Axar in 2019, I have witnessed his evolution as a cricketer and leader. He is a much-loved figure in the dressing room and someone who will inspire his teammates."

The DC squad for IPL 2025 features experienced international players like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc. Axar himself comes into the season after contributing significantly to India's Champions Trophy triumph, taking five wickets with an economy rate of 4.35 and offering key contributions with the bat.

Delhi Capitals, still chasing their first IPL title, finished sixth last season with a balanced win-loss record. This year, Axar will be working alongside a refreshed coaching setup, including Hemang Badani (head coach), Venugopal Rao (director of cricket), and Matthew Mott (assistant coach). DC will kick off their campaign against LSG in Visakhapatnam on March 24.

With Axar's appointment, all five IPL teams that required a new captain post-auction have confirmed their leaders: Rajat Patidar (RCB), Ajinkya Rahane (KKR), Rishabh Pant (LSG), and Shreyas Iyer (PBKS).