In a surprising move, Delhi Capitals have decided on Axar Patel as their next captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League season. Although the team has yet to make an official announcement, reports suggest that Aksa will be the new captain.

The Capitals have several options for the captain’s role. KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis are seen as candidates for the position given their previous experience. However, the team decided to invest in Axar, who is a great cricketer for the team.

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Axar Patel to become Delhi Capitals’ next captain

A top source within the Delhi Capitals management has confirmed that Axar Patel will be the next captain of the team, ANI reported. Axar will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, which will be an important step in his career.

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So, sources within the top management of Delhi Capitals have clarified the same. Axar Patel to lead Delhi this year @IPL @DelhiCapitals

— vipul kashyap (@kashyapvipul) January 16, 2025

Axar had previously led Delhi Capitals in the absence of Rishay Pant. He has also led Gujarat in recent domestic tournaments such as Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Apart from this, Axar was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series against England at home. The left-arm spin all-rounder is the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav, India’s designated T20I captain.

Delhi Capitals have retained four players this year and Axar is one of them. He has the highest retention rate among them with an income of INR 1,650 crore. Apart from him, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porrell are the other players they have retained.

Axar has played 150 IPL matches so far, taking 123 wickets at an average of 30.55 and an economy rate of 7.28. He has improved a lot as a batsman over the years. He has scored 1653 runs with a strike rate of 130.88.

Dinesh Karthik confirms Axar Patel as next DC captain

Speaking on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB show, Dinesh Karthik revealed his thoughts on Axar’s role as India’s vice-captain in the T20Is against England. Karthik confirmed Aksa as DC’s next captain and said it was a good opportunity to lead him.

“I really don’t know. I don’t know why he (Hardik) was stripped of the vice-captaincy. I don’t think there was any reason for it. They did a good job. They won him as vice-captain in bilateral matches Chances. No clue,” Karthik said.

“But for Axar Patel, it’s all going well. It’s a great opportunity for him. Thirdly, he will also be the captain of Delhi Capitals. So it’s him leading and showing the way. Good opportunity. He has been working hard to do it for Gujarat as well, so good luck to him,” he added.

KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis will serve as specialist batsmen

Axar Patel’s appointment means that KL Rahul will feature as a pure batsman for Delhi Capitals. Rahul, who captained the Lucknow Supergiants last season, was signed by the Capitals for Rs 14 crore this season.

Faf du Plessis, captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2024, will now also play as a pure batsman. Du Plessis was signed by the Capitals for Rs 2 crore in the 2025 IPL auction.