Star all-rounder Axar Patel was appointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 14, 2025, ahead of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will be tasked with leading the team to its first-ever IPL championship.
New Delhi: Star all-rounder Axar Patel was appointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 14, 2025, ahead of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will be tasked with leading the team to its first-ever IPL championship.
In January, Axar was named India’s vice-captain for T20s and has captained his state team, Gujarat, in 23 matches across different formats. Having been with Delhi Capitals since 2019, Axar is the longest-serving player on the squad. He was retained by the team for INR 16.50 crore before the IPL 2025 mega auction.
While many fans supported the decision, some raised concerns about his lack of extensive leadership experience. Additionally, given that Axar is an all-rounder, he already shoulders significant responsibilities, and some believe handing the captaincy to another player might have allowed him to focus more on his batting and bowling.
1. Faf Du Plessis
Faf du Plessis brings a wealth of experience, having captained both South Africa in international cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL. He led RCB for the past three seasons, guiding them to the playoffs in two of those years. Recently, du Plessis captained Joburg Super Kings to the Eliminator in SA20 2025, amassing 286 runs from 10 innings.
Du Plessis is known for his aggressive leadership style and ability to maximize the potential of his players. His presence could have provided significant stability to the team. Over the last five IPL seasons, the right-handed batter has scored more than 400 runs in each campaign. While he may not have been selected as captain, his experience will undoubtedly play a vital role in the leadership group, offering valuable insights to Axar when needed.
2. KL Rahul
Delhi Capitals secured KL Rahul for INR 14 crore during the mega auction. Given his prior experience captaining Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, it was widely anticipated that the Karnataka wicketkeeper-batter would take on the leadership role. He has also captained India temporarily across various formats.
However, reports indicate that Rahul chose not to take up the captaincy, preferring to focus on contributing as a player. He reportedly congratulated Axar Patel shortly after his appointment. While these reports have not been officially confirmed, if accurate, it clarifies the situation. Still, if Rahul had been considered for the role, it could have been an ideal choice. With his ability to deliver runs at the top of the order and his calm demeanor, Rahul could have had a positive influence on the team’s dynamics.
3. Karun Nair
Karun Nair made his return to Delhi Capitals for INR 50 lakh after being acquired by the franchise in the mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The right-handed batter has had a standout domestic season in 2024-25. Nair previously played for Delhi in the 2016 and 2017 IPL seasons when the franchise was known as Delhi Daredevils. During the 2017 season, he also captained the team in three matches after Zaheer Khan was injured.
In addition to his IPL experience, Nair has a wealth of leadership experience in domestic cricket. He captained Mysuru Warriors to victory in the Maharaja Trophy in September 2024. Known for his composed demeanor, Nair’s leadership qualities could prove valuable in guiding the team through tough situations.
