Congrats Bapu! Here's How KL Rahul Wishes Axar Patel After Being Named As Delhi Capitals' New Skipper

The Delhi Capitals on Friday announced Axar Patel as their new skipper for the upcoming season of Indian Premier League aka IPL 2025. India's star all-rounder Axar Patel's name was no less than a surprise for cricket fans as Delhi followers were expecting KL Rahul to get the command.

Having been with Delhi since 2019, Patel, 31, is the team's most extended serving player and was the top retention at INR 16.50 crore before the mega auction. Over his tenure with Delhi, he has played 82 games, scoring 967 runs and taking 62 wickets, showcasing an impressive economy rate.

Reacting to the big announcement, Kannada star KL Rahul congratulated his teammate Axar Patel with a special post.

"Congrats Bapu. Wishing you the best in this journey and always with you," KL Rahul commented on Delhi Capitals' Instagram announcement.

Leadership Experience and Team Dynamics

Despite Patel's limited experience as an IPL captain, he has led teams in domestic cricket, including Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2024-25 season. He also served as vice-captain for India's T20I team earlier this year and played a pivotal role in India's Champions Trophy victory, taking five wickets with an economy of 4.35 and scoring 109 runs at an average of 27.25.

Patel's elevation to captaincy comes in the wake of Rishabh Pant's departure from the franchise before the mega auction, where Pant moved to lead Lucknow Super Giants. Patel now heads a team with experienced players like Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Faf du Plessis, and Mitchell Starc, making it intriguing to see how he will harness this talent to propel Delhi Capitals forward. "I've grown as a cricketer and a human being during my time here at the Capitals, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward," Patel remarked, acknowledging his development and readiness for captaincy.

Strategic Revisions and Expectations

The Delhi Capitals, one of the original IPL franchises yet to clinch a title, finished sixth last season. For the upcoming IPL 2025, they've made significant changes, including a revamped coaching setup with GMR taking management control for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The support staff, led by Kevin Pietersen along with head coach Hemang Badani, director of cricket Venugopal Rao, assistant coach Matthew Mott, and bowling coach Munaf Patel, reflects a strategic overhaul aimed at breaking the title drought.

Patel's leadership will be crucial in navigating the team through this transition. With a track record of 150 IPL matches, 1653 runs, 123 wickets, and a memorable hat-trick in 2016, his on-field performance and leadership style will set the tone for Delhi Capitals' quest for their maiden IPL title. "Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by putting together a balanced and robust squad which has tremendous potential," Patel acknowledged, looking forward to leading a team brimming with talent and leadership.