'Light-hearted off the field, determined on it' - DC's new captain Axar earns praise from teammates

Delhi Capitals (DC) will be led by Axar Patel as their new captain this season, with strong backing from teammates as the IPL approaches. Axar was retained by DC ahead of the mega auction, replacing former captain Rishabh Pant, who was released back into the auction.

"Just having him in the squad is a big advantage. He's among the best players right now," said Tristan Stubbs, another player retained by DC. "When he captained last year against RCB, due to Pant's suspension for a slow over rate, he remained calm under pressure and kept the bowlers composed. Hopefully, he brings that same calmness this season, and we can all draw strength from his energy."

Abishek Porel, another retained player alongside Kuldeep Yadav, believes Axar’s extensive experience with DC will aid his smooth transition into leadership. Axar has been part of the DC squad since 2019, playing 82 matches to date.

"It's fantastic having Axar bhai leading the team," said Porel. "He’s been with DC for several years now, and fully understands the team's dynamics. Off the field, he's quite humorous, but he switches on the focus completely when he's on the field. I'm very excited to play under his leadership, and hopefully, we can win the trophy this year."

Axar’s appointment comes shortly after being named India's T20I vice-captain ahead of the home series against England in January. He also captained Gujarat during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2024-25 season.

"Axar has extensive experience, and he's going to be an excellent captain," said Karun Nair, Axar’s new teammate at DC. "He understands every aspect of the game and is versatile enough to manage different roles and situations. I'm looking forward to playing with him and learning from him."

Delhi Capitals, still chasing their first IPL title, finished sixth last season with seven wins and seven losses. Their campaign begins at home against Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam on March 24, marking the first of two games at this venue before returning to Delhi for the remainder of their home fixtures.

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