IPL 2025: Not Rahul, this all-rounder could be Delhi Capitals new captain

The IPL 2025 auction saw a lot of big names being shuffled across the 10 franchises and at big prices too. The costliest of the lot, Rishabh Pant, will also be changing teams and will now play for the Lucknow Super Giants, who roped him in for a record-breaking fee of ₹27 crore in the auction.

 

With Delhi Capitals losing a leader and a dynamic batter in Pant, questions started to be raised about who will be the next DC captain. Having bought former LSG skipper KL Rahul at a bargain fee of ₹14 crore provided them with a reliable option for the leadership role. However, Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal has revealed another prospect for the captain's role in Delhi Capitals.    Will Axar Patel be selected as Delhi Capitals captain?

 

Parth talked about Indian all-rounder Axar Patel and his influence on the team, mentioning how he is one of the players that can be elevated from vice-captain to captain in the side. Axar was Delhi Capitals' first retention pick at ₹16.50 crore, which shows the faith they have put in him for the next seasons as well. 

Axar Patel IPL batting stats
Year	Matches	NO	Runs	HS	AVG	BF	SR	100	50	4S	6S
Career	150	36	1653	66	21.47	1263	130.88	0	3	107	79
2024	14	4	235	66	29.38	179	131.28	0	2	19	10
2023	14	3	283	54	28.3	203	139.41	0	1	21	15
2022	13	6	182	42*	45.5	120	151.67	0	0	12	10
2021	12	1	40	12	8	46	86.95	0	0	2	1
2020	15	1	117	42	14.62	85	137.64	0	0	6	8
2019	14	6	110	26	18.33	88	125	0	0	10	3
2018	9	2	80	19	13.33	69	115.94	0	0	3	4
2017	14	5	227	44	28.37	162	140.12	0	0	11	11
2016	14	3	111	36*	15.85	77	144.15	0	0	4	8
2015	14	3	206	40*	22.88	174	118.39	0	0	13	8
2014	17	2	62	42*	10.33	60	103.33	0	0	6	1

 

"Whenever Rishabh was not available, whenever Rishabh was injured, Axar did step in and play a big role. He's a jovial fellow, he keeps the dressing room very light. He's an uncomplicated character, and he's someone who, I think, can do a great job. So we have to take a decision, but I haven't even spoken to Axar about it," Parth said about Axar Patel.

 

KL Rahul's experience as a skipper in the IPL over the years might be an additional factor in the discussions too as it will be interesting to see who takes up the leadership role for DC in the end. 

KL Rahul stats as IPL captain
	Span	Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	%W	%L	% Tied	% Draw	%NR	%
KL Rahul (KXIP/LSG/PBKS)	2020-2024	64	31	31	2	0	0	1	48.43	48.43	3.12	0	0	50

   

KL Rahul IPL batting stats
Year	Matches	NO	Runs	HS	AVG	BF	SR	100	50	4S	6S
Career	132	20	4683	132*	45.47	3479	134.61	4	37	400	187
2024	14	0	520	82	37.14	382	136.13	0	4	45	19
2023	9	1	274	74	34.25	242	113.22	0	2	28	4
2022	15	3	616	103*	51.33	455	135.38	2	4	45	30
2021	13	3	626	98*	62.6	451	138.8	0	6	48	30
2020	14	2	670	132*	55.83	518	129.34	1	5	58	23
2019	14	3	593	100*	53.9	438	135.38	1	6	49	25
2018	14	2	659	95*	54.91	416	158.41	0	6	66	32
2016	14	3	397	68*	44.11	271	146.49	0	4	37	16
2015	9	3	142	44*	28.4	126	112.69	0	0	8	5
2014	11	0	166	46	20.75	164	101.21	0	0	12	3
2013	5	0	20	12	10	16	125	0	0	4	0