Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is set to be named as the captain of the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025.
With KL Rahul anticipated to be the captain for the upcoming IPL season, former Indian wk-keeper Dinesh Karthik has hinted at the development on a YouTube video, though an official announcement from the franchise is still awaited.
Axar Patel has been with DC since 2019 and was retained by the franchise for a whopping INR 18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The 30-year old had a taste of captaincy in IPL 2024 when he replaced Rishabh Pant during one game. His elevation as DC’s full time captain comes as a suprise, with the Capitals buying KL Rahul during the auction.
Rahul led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Gaints in the IPL and considerable experience of leading the sides.
Axar Patel was named as the Vice captain of the Indian T20I team for the first time last week when the BCCI announced India squad for the five match series in England’s tour of India 2025.
“For Axar Patel, all the very best (for India vice-captaincy). A good opportunity for him. He is going to be the Delhi Capitals’ captain as well. So here is a good opportunity for him to lead and show the way. He has been doing that for Gujarat as well. So, wish him all the luck,” Karthik said on the show.
Axar’s appointment as a captain hints KL Rahul to feature as specialist batter for the first time since 2020 season.
The 32 year old cricketer signed by DC for INR 14 crore, bring a wealth of experience he captained PBKS in 2020-2021 and LSG from 2022-2024.
Meanwhile KL Rahul’s batting position will be a important talks among the franchise. With KL Rahul has impressive stats as an opener for LSG and PBKS and he also has the ability to adapt in the middle order for the Indian team, where he bats at No.5 in ODIs.
Recently he opened for the Indian side during the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy where the visitors suffered 1-3 defeat in the five match series.
