Axar Patel, the left-handed all-rounder, has been appointed as the captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the IPL 2025 season. Having played 82 matches for the Capitals since joining the franchise in 2019, Axar takes over the leadership role from Rishabh Pant, who moved to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the mega auction.
Axar’s Leadership Experience
Axar had a brief captaincy stint with DC in the 2024 season when he led the team in a single match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) due to Pant’s suspension for a slow over-rate. In addition to his IPL experience, Axar has captained Gujarat in 16 T20 matches and was also appointed as India’s T20I vice-captain earlier this year.
Pant’s Departure and Axar’s Retention
Pant was not retained by DC ahead of the auction and entered the bidding, where LSG secured him for a record-breaking INR 27 crore. Meanwhile, DC retained Axar for INR 16.5 crore, making him their highest-paid player. Since his T20 debut 12 years ago, Axar has accumulated experience across 274 matches, scoring 3,088 runs, including eight fifties, and taking 239 wickets. Notably, he bagged a hat-trick in the 2016 IPL season while playing for Punjab.
Axar’s Statement on His Appointment
Expressing his excitement about the new role, 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 at the Capitals, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward.
“Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by putting together a balanced and robust squad with tremendous potential. We have plenty of leaders in the group, which is also very helpful for me, and I can’t wait to join the team as we look forward to a very successful season for the Capitals, backed by the immense love and support of our fans.”
DC Management’s Endorsement
Delhi Capitals chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi expressed confidence in Axar’s leadership, stating:
“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. This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader – from being our vice-captain for two seasons to now leading the team. He has always stepped up to the occasion for us.
“Axar has the full support of our coaching staff and the experienced leadership group, and I wish him the very best for this new role, which I am confident he will excel in.”
Parth Jindal, co-owner of DC, also shared his enthusiasm:
“Having personally picked Axar in 2019, my relationship with him goes beyond cricket. Having seen him as the vice-captain of the team over the last two years, it is safe to say that he is a much-loved character in the dressing room and someone who I am sure will motivate the squad.
“Axar has evolved into a brilliant, mature cricketer whose all-round prowess was on full display in India’s T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy-winning campaigns recently. I wish him good luck as he starts a new innings in his cricketing journey. With seniors like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc being part of our leadership group, I believe this is the start of something special for the Delhi Capitals.”
IPL 2025 Season Opener
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2025 campaign with a home match in Visakhapatnam on March 24 against Lucknow Super Giants, now led by their former captain, Rishabh Pant.