IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals Announce Axar Patel's Deputy, Appoint Faf du Plessis As Vice-Captain

IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals have officially appointed former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Faf du Plessis as their vice-captain ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

The 40-year-old South African veteran will serve as deputy to Axar Patel, who was named captain last Friday.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the new role, du Plessis shared his excitement about joining the Delhi-based franchise. "I am very excited. Delhi has been great and the boys have been fantastic. Definitely, I feel happy and ready," the right-handed batter said in a video released by the team.

Du Plessis, who led RCB for the past three seasons, was not retained by the franchise ahead of the 2025 mega auction. This decision raised eyebrows, given his consistent performances. He was eventually picked up by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore in the accelerated bidding round after going unsold in the initial phase of the auction.

During his time at RCB, du Plessis played a crucial role in guiding the team through challenging phases. In the 2024 IPL season, he led RCB to a dramatic playoff qualification after a remarkable turnaround-securing seven consecutive wins following a poor start with six losses in a row. The previous season saw him emerge as one of the top run-scorers, amassing 730 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 153.68, making him a strong contender for the Orange Cap.

His experience and leadership qualities make him a valuable addition to the Delhi Capitals' squad. As vice-captain, he will provide strategic support to Axar Patel while also strengthening the batting unit. With du Plessis' proven track record and resilience, Delhi Capitals will hope to make a strong title push in the upcoming season.

With the IPL 2025 season set to kick off soon, all eyes will be on how Delhi Capitals' new leadership duo steers the team in pursuit of its maiden IPL title.