His consistent contributions with both bat and ball, along with his maturity, make him a respected figure in the dressing room.
The Delhi Capitals have finalized their IPL 2025 squad, consisting of 23 players, with 19 purchased during the two day auction and 4 retained players. One of their most significant acquisitions was the purchase of KL Rahul, who was bought for INR 14 crore after an intense bidding war.
As a marquee player, Rahul’s inclusion has sparked discussions about his potential leadership role for the franchise. Many believe he could take charge of the team next season, given his experience and leadership qualities.
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However, former India opener Aakash Chopra, on his youtube channel has suggested that Axar Patel, the seasoned all-rounder for the Capitals, could be a more fitting choice for the captaincy. Axar, who was retained by Delhi ahead of the auction, has been a key performer for the team over the years.
His consistent contributions with both bat and ball, along with his maturity, make him a respected figure in the dressing room. Chopra believes that Axar, with his calm demeanor and leadership potential, could be the ideal candidate to lead the team.
“Who will be the captain? Their situation is like KKR. It could be Axar Patel. I don’t mind him being the captain. If you give me the option, I would say make Axar the captain. He is extremely underrated, very mature, fantastic performer, and he will run the team very well. He is someone who will command respect,” Chopra said.
While acknowledging that Rahul is a strong contender for the captaincy role, Chopra emphasized Axar’s exceptional performances for Delhi. He believes Axar’s deep connection with the team and his leadership qualities make him an outstanding option to lead the Capitals.
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Chopra also mentioned that the management has yet to confirm the captaincy, leaving the door open for other options, including Faf du Plessis, who was also bought during the auction.
However, Chopra pointed out that Faf may not feature regularly in the starting XI due to Delhi’s use of the Right to Match card for Jake Fraser-McGurk.
“KL Rahul could be the other option. The third could be Faf du Plessis if they wish so, but they might not play Faf from the start because they used the Right to Match card for Jake Fraser-McGurk,” Chopra added.
Ultimately, Chopra stated that while the management has not provided clarity on the captaincy yet, his personal vote goes to Axar. He highlighted Axar’s remarkable consistency and leadership potential, especially considering his previous performances for the team.
“So I am thinking between Axar and Rahul but the management hasn’t given any clarity yet. My vote goes towards Axar because his performances on this ground have been exceptional,” he further said.
With both Rahul and Axar in contention, it remains to be seen who will take the reins for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025.
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