IPL 2023: Vice-Captain's role shows my personal growth as a cricketer, says Delhi Capitals' Axar Patel

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New Delhi, March 31: Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Axar Patel has expressed his excitement about taking up the Vice-Captain's role of the team for the TATA IPL 2023 season, which is all set to start on Friday (March 31).

After skipper Rishabh Pant was ruled out for the season, DC announced Australian opener David Warner as the captain with the Indian all-rounder Axar, who has been in good form, being named the deputy.

The all-rounder Axar said that him being awarded the vice captain's role shows his personal growth as a player and he is up for the challenge along with skipper Warner.

"The role of Vice-Captain being given to me shows my personal growth as a cricketer. I'm excited about taking on the new role. It'll be my and David's responsibility to get the best out of each and everyone in the squad," Axar said in a release.

The IPL 2023 will see the return of the traditional home and away format in which the home team plays their home matches at their actual home venues. Axar also spoke about returning to the Delhi Capitals' home ground after four years.

"It's always a different feeling when I join the DC camp. It was great to meet Ricky and speak to him about my new role in the team," added Axar on returning to join up with the Delhi Capitals camp.

"It felt good to be welcomed by the DC fans at our home ground after so many years. The DC fans will be excited to cheer for us at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this season," Axar said on returning back to the original home of DC.

The Delhi Capitals Vice-Captain also wished a quick recovery to Pant, who had at the end last year suffered multiple injuries from a car crash, ruling him out of action for an indefinite period.

"I'm in constant touch with Pant. We'll definitely miss him and we wish that he recovers as soon as possible. Nobody can fill the gap that Rishabh has left. The entire DC family is praying for his recovery and his quick return to cricket," Axar concluded.

The Delhi Capitals, who just missed out on making the playoffs in 2022, will open their IPL 2023 campaign against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday (April 1).