Delhi Capitals Appoint Indian All-Rounder Axar Patel as Captain Ahead of IPL 2025

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Delhi Capitals (DC) on Friday (March 14) announced the appointment of star Indian all-rounder and their longest-serving player Axar Patel as the captain ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.

Axar was one of the favourites to take over the role following Rishabh Pant's departure from the side, having served as vice captain for the past two seasons and already led the Capitals as a stand-in skipper last season. But reports suggested DC may have another name in mind.

However, the Delhi-based franchise finalized on Axar for the leadership role. The 31-year-old initially joined the Capitals in 2019 and has since emerged as one of the top-performing players for the franchise across the six seasons with his ability to step up to the occasion.

In the 82 matches he has donned the red and blue of the Capitals, Patel has scored 967 runs and picked up 62 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.09. Apart from being a live wire on the field, the all-rounder has also developed a special rapport with the Capitals' and the Indian national team's fans.

"It is my absolute honour to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I'm deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me," said Axar Patel, on being appointed as the captain.

"I've grown as a cricketer and a human being during my time here at the Capitals, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward. Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by putting together a balanced and robust squad which has tremendous potential.

"We have plenty of leaders in the group which is also very helpful for me, and I can't wait to join the team as we look forward to a very successful season for the Capitals, backed by the immense love and support of our fans."

Delhi Capitals co-owners Kiran Kumar Grandhi and Parth Jindal were delighted with the appointment, adding Axar has the full backing of the franchise, including the coaching staff and the leadership group.

"This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader - from being our vice-captain for two seasons to now leading the team, he has always stepped up to the occasion for us. Axar has the full support of our coaching staff and the experienced leadership group," Kiran Kumar Gandhi was quoted as saying in a release.

"I have witnessed Axar's progression as a cricketer and a leader first-hand at the Delhi Capitals," said Delhi Capitals Co-owner Parth Jindal. "With seniors like KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis and Mitchell Starc being part of our leadership group, I believe this is the start of something special for the Delhi Capitals."

A veteran of 150 IPL matches, Axar Patel has 1653 runs and 123 wickets to his name which includes a stunning hat-trick in 2016 when he took 4 wickets in 5 balls for the Punjab franchise.

Since joining the Capitals in 2019, the 31-year-old has developed himself as a reliable all-round specialist and will work closely with the Capitals support staff that consists of Director of Cricket Venugopal Rao, Mentor Kevin Pietersen, Head Coach Hemang Badani, Assistant Coach Matthew Mott, and Bowling Coach Munaf Patel.

Axar will take his first charge as full-time DC captain when the Delhi Capitals kick-start their IPL 2025 campaign in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (March 24) against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).