Rishabh Pant was one of the biggest names that were released ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Delhi Capitals thus needed an experienced player in their squad from the auction who could also potentially captain the side. The former IPL finalists made one of the bargain buys of the auction when they bought KL Rahul for Rs 14 crore. Fans and experts naturally expected Rahul to be named the captain of the side. However, a report suggests that the Capitals are looking at someone else entirely to replace Pant in the role.

According to a report by ANI, Delhi Capitals are looking at Axar Patel to captain the franchise from IPL 2025. The Capitals bought the likes of KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis in the IPL 2025 mega auction, both of whom have captained IPL franchises in the past. Hence, this appointment shows the franchise's trust in Axar who has been with them since 2019.

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal had hinted at Axar Patel being the franchise captain after the IPL 2025 auction. In an interaction with ESPNCricinfo, he said that Axar was he vice-captain for the last IPL cycle for DC, and hence he could be the new captain as well.

"It's a bit premature to talk about the captaincy. Axar Patel has been with the franchise for a very long time and he was the vice-captain for the last cycle, so we don't know whether it's going to be Axar or whether it's going to be somebody else," Jindal had said.

Axar Patel also led Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2024 match vs RCB, when Rishabh Pant was banned by the BCCI for a single match.

Axar Patel was also recently named as the vice-captain in the India squad that is set to face England in a five-match T20I series beginning from January 22 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

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