IPL: Axar Patel named Delhi Capitals captain

All-rounder Axar Patel, who was a member of the Indian team that won the recent ICC Champions Trophy, has been appointed as captain of Delhi Capitals for the IPL season starting from March 22

Hyderabad: In a significant move, all-rounder Axar Patel, who was a member of the Indian team that won the recent ICC Champions Trophy, has been appointed as captain of Delhi Capitals for the IPL season starting from March 22.

Interestingly, the Delhi squad has big names like wicketkeeper-batter K L Rahul, and Faf du Plessis, who have both been captains of their respective franchises and also the Australian fast bowling great Mitchell Starc.

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The left-arm spinning all-rounder has been retained by Delhi Capitals since 2019 with a retention price of Rs 16.50 crores. For the record, the 31-year-old Axar led Gujarat and also captained Delhi Capitals in one game in the last season.

“It is my absolute honour to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I’m deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me,” Axar said in a release on Friday. “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,” he said.

“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..”

“We are delighted to appoint Axar as the Delhi Capitals captain. He has been an integral part of the Capitals family since 2019 and embodies the values that this team is built on,” DC chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi said, “This decision reflects the natural progression for him as a leader – from being our vice-captain for two seasons to now leading the team, he has always stepped up to the occasion for us.

Axar has the full support of our coaching staff and the experienced leadership group, and I wish him the very best for this new role which I am confident he will excel in,” he said.