IPL 2027: Axar Patel likely to step down as Delhi Capitals captain
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Axar Patel led Delhi Capitals in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Star all-rounder Axar Patel is hesitant to continue as Delhi Capitals captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2027). Delhi appointed Patel as their full-time captain in 2025 after Rishabh Pant’s departure.
Under his captaincy, DC finished fifth and sixth in the 2025 and 2026 editions, respectively. Now, a report from The Times of India indicates Axar is not keen on taking up the captaincy for the upcoming season.
Although DC management wants to retain Axar as captain, they are finding it difficult to persuade him. Under Axar’s captaincy, the Capitals played 27 matches and won 12. In the last two seasons, their win percentage was 44.44.
A DC source told TOI, “Axar is very reluctant to continue as captain. The management is trying to convince him. Axar is very important to the franchise. Capitals have turned down multiple lucrative trade offers this season. The management has held back from finalising the captain till the auctions are done.”
The captaincy has also impacted his own performances. Last season, Axar scored only 173 runs and took 11 wickets across 14 matches.
Former captain Rishabh Pant is back with DC for the IPL 2027
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Axar’s refusal to captain the team could create a major problem for the management. They will have to find other options. Though DC have traded their former captain, Rishabh Pant, from Lucknow Super Giants, the star batter will add to their strength.
If DC fail to convince Axar, he could be a potential candidate to take charge of the team. Pant led the franchise between 2021 and 2024, and under his captaincy, Delhi finished third in the 2021 edition.
Another notable name in the squad is KL Rahul, who previously captained the Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021, as well as Lucknow Super Giants from 2022 to 2024. However, reports indicate that neither wicketkeeper is currently keen to take on the captaincy.
The source stated, “Pant doesn’t want to think too much about captaincy. Even Rahul hasn’t expressed any real interest yet. But the management will have to talk to them if Axar stays firm on his decision.”
Earlier, rumours suggested the franchise could trade Axar. However, the new DC management, under Sourav Ganguly, is happy to stick with the all-rounder for the upcoming season.
Who led Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2026?
Axar Patel led DC in the last edition of the IPL.
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