NEW DELHI: All-rounder Axar Patel has been selected as the next captain of the Delhi Capitals for the 2025 Indian Premier League season. The announcement came on Friday after intense speculations over the replacement of Rishabh Pant, who was purchased by Lucknow Super Giants during the 2025 auction.
There were many rumors regarding the captaincy position with DC successfully bidding for KL Rahul in the same auction, but DC entrusted their faith in Patel, who has been with the team since 2019. Along with Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel, Axar was one of the four players the franchise retained before the 2025 auction. DC retained Axar for Rs. 18 crore.
Over the course of six seasons, the 31-year-old has become one of the team's best performers; in the 82 games he has played for the Capitals, Patel has amassed 967 runs and has picked up 62 wickets at an outstanding economy rate of 7.09. Axar also established himself as a regular starter in all formats for Team India during this time.
Delhi Capitals will kick-start their IPL 2025 campaign in Visakhapatnam on March 24 against Lucknow Super Giants, led by DC's former skipper, Rishabh Pant.
The Capitals are yet to win an IPL title in 17 seasons, and with Axar, as well as past IPL skippers KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis in the squad, the franchise will be aiming for a successful outing in 2025.
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