IPL 2025: KL Rahul reacts after Delhi Capitals name Axar Patel as captain instead of him

Axar Patel will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.

For the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, KL Rahul has sent his best wishes to Axar Patel, his colleague and new captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC). According to reports, Rahul and Axar were both considered to be the next captain of DC.

The Indian all-rounder was now the front-runner to succeed Rishabh Pant after the latter was released from the side before the mega auction.

Then, early morning on March 14, 2025, Delhi Capitals announced Axar Patel as their new captain for the IPL 2025. Axar is their most experienced player, having played 82 games for them across six seasons; last year he scored 235 runs at an average of nearly 30 and took 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.65.

“It is my absolute honor to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me. 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.

Our coaches and scouts have done a superb job at the mega auction by putting together a balanced and robust squad that has tremendous potential. We have plenty of leaders in the group, which is also very helpful for me, and I can’t wait to join the team as we look forward to a very successful season for the Capitals, backed by the immense love and support of our fans,” Axar said in a DC statement.

Axar PatelCaptain, Delhi Capitals 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/S2qNuuBO7T

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 14, 2025

‘Congrats Bapu’ – KL Rahul wishes Axar Patel on becoming DC captain.

Prior to the IPL 2025 big auction, the Lucknow Super Giants released KL Rahul, who had led the team for the previous three seasons. 

The same player retention window saw the DC release their captain, talented wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. It turned out that on the day of the auction, Rahul and Pant switched their IPL teams.

KL Rahul wished his India and DC teammate Axar Patel well on Instagram on Friday, March 14, after he was named the team’s new captain for the 2025 IPL season.

“Congrats, Bapu. Wishing you the best in this journey and always with you“—KL Rahul commented on an Instagram post.

🫂💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/7OwakbsmRf

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 14, 2025

DC will begin their IPL 2025 season against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24, with the match to be played at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam.

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