Axar Patel Named Delhi Capitals Captain for IPL 2025: A New Era Begins
The Delhi Capitals (DC) have made a big announcement ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Axar Patel, the talented all-rounder, has been named the new captain of the team. This decision comes after Rishabh Pant, the previous captain, moved to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) during the mega auction. Axar, who has been a key player for DC since 2019, will now take on the responsibility of leading the team in the upcoming season.
Why Axar Patel?
Axar Patel is no stranger to leadership roles. During the IPL 2024 season, he stepped in as captain for one match when Rishabh Pant was suspended due to a slow over-rate. Apart from this, Axar has also captained Gujarat in 16 T20 matches, gaining valuable experience. Recently, he was appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team, which shows that the selectors and team management trust his leadership abilities.
Rishabh Pant’s Move to Lucknow Super Giants
Rishabh Pant, who has been the face of Delhi Capitals for several years, did not stay with the team for IPL 2025. During the mega auction, DC decided not to retain him, and he was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants for a record-breaking price of INR 27 Crore. This left a big gap in the DC squad, both as a player and as a leader. On the other hand, Axar Patel was DC’s top retention, secured for INR 16.5 Crore, which shows how much the team values him.
Axar Patel’s Journey in T20 Cricket
Axar Patel has been playing T20 cricket for 12 years now. In his career so far, he has played 274 matches, scoring 3088 runs, including eight half-centuries. He is also a very effective bowler, having taken 239 wickets in T20 cricket. One of his most memorable performances came in IPL 2016 when he took a hat-trick while playing for Punjab. His all-round abilities make him a valuable asset to any team, and now, he will be leading Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.
Axar’s Reaction to Becoming Captain
Axar Patel is excited about his new role as the captain of Delhi Capitals. He shared his thoughts, saying:
“It is my absolute honor to captain the Delhi Capitals. I am grateful to the owners and support staff for trusting me. Over the years, I have grown as a cricketer and a person at DC, and I feel ready for this role. We have a strong squad, and I can’t wait to lead the team for a successful season.”
Axar’s words reflect his confidence and determination to take the team forward. He has been with DC since 2019 and has grown both as a player and as a person. Now, he is ready to take on the challenge of leading the team.
Support from DC Management
The Delhi Capitals management has full faith in Axar Patel’s abilities. Kiran Kumar Grandhi, the chairman of DC, said that Axar’s appointment as captain was a natural progression. He mentioned:
“Axar has been a key part of the DC family since 2019 and truly represents the team’s values. He has already shown leadership qualities as vice-captain, and we believe he will be a great captain.”
Parth Jindal, the co-owner of DC, also expressed his confidence in Axar. He said:
“We picked Axar in 2019, and I have seen his growth closely. He is loved in the dressing room and has become a complete cricketer. With experienced players like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc in the leadership group, I believe Axar will do a fantastic job.”
The support from the management is a big boost for Axar as he prepares to lead the team in IPL 2025.
DC’s First Match of IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2025 campaign on March 24 with a home match in Visakhapatnam. Interestingly, their first match will be against the Lucknow Super Giants, who are now led by their former captain, Rishabh Pant. This match is already being talked about as fans are eager to see how Axar Patel leads DC against his former captain.
What Can Fans Expect?
Fans are excited to see how Axar Patel will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025. With his experience, all-round skills, and leadership qualities, he is expected to bring a fresh energy to the team. The presence of experienced players like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc in the squad will also help Axar in his new role.
The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for Delhi Capitals and their fans. With a new captain at the helm, the team will be looking to put up a strong performance and aim for the IPL title.
Axar Patel’s appointment as the captain of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for the team. With his experience, skills, and the support of the management, Axar is ready to take on this new challenge. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how he leads the team and whether he can guide DC to success in the upcoming season. The first match against Lucknow Super Giants will be a thrilling encounter, and all eyes will be on Axar Patel as he steps into his new role.