New Delhi: The countdown for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has begun, and Delhi Capitals have made a major announcement regarding their leadership. The franchise has officially appointed Axar Patel as their new captain for IPL 2025. Initially, there was speculation that KL Rahul might be chosen for the role, given his previous experience leading Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. However, after Patel’s appointment, KL Rahul has shared his reaction.

Axar Patel’s Journey with Delhi Capitals

The left-handed all-rounder Axar Patel joined Delhi Capitals in 2019 and has since been a key player for the team. He has played 82 matches for the franchise and was retained for ₹16.50 crore ahead of IPL 2025. In a surprising move, Delhi Capitals released their former captain, Rishabh Pant, and did not show interest in reacquiring him at the auction.

At the IPL 2025 auction, Delhi Capitals secured KL Rahul for ₹14 crore. Despite having significant captaincy experience with Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, reports suggest that Rahul declined the leadership role, leading the franchise to appoint Axar Patel as the new skipper.

KL Rahul’s Reaction to Axar Patel’s Captaincy

Following the official announcement by Delhi Capitals on social media, KL Rahul responded to the news with a congratulatory message for Axar Patel. Rahul commented, “Congratulations, Bapu! Wishing you all the best for this new journey, and I’m always with you.”

Axar Patel’s IPL Career Stats

Axar Patel made his IPL debut in 2014 and has played 150 matches in the tournament. The 30-year-old all-rounder has amassed 1,653 runs, including three half-centuries, and has also taken 123 wickets.

With Axar Patel leading Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, it will be exciting to see how the team performs under his captaincy. Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025.