Axar Patel Considers Stepping Down as Delhi Capitals Captain; Pant, Rahul Emerge as Key Contenders for IPL 2027

Leadership Quandary for Delhi Capitals Ahead of IPL 2027

Delhi Capitals (DC) finds itself in a significant leadership dilemma just months before the IPL 2027 mini-auction. According to a report by the Times of India, current captain Axar Patel has expressed a desire to relinquish the captaincy, citing the team's underwhelming performance under his tenure. While the franchise is reportedly attempting to persuade him to stay, DC is already considering strong alternatives in Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.

Patel's potential departure stems from a challenging period for the Capitals, who have failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two seasons. Although they came close to a top-four finish in 2025, the team slipped to sixth position in the most recent campaign. Individually, Patel also had a subdued season, scoring only 173 runs and taking 11 wickets in 14 matches, which may have contributed to his reported reluctance to continue as skipper.

Franchise Efforts and Potential Replacements

Sources close to the team indicate that the DC management values Patel highly and is keen on him retaining the captaincy. “Axar is very hesitant to continue as captain. The management is trying to convince him,” a source revealed. “Axar is crucial for the franchise. The Capitals have turned down several good trade offers this season. The management has held off on finalizing the captain until the auction.”

However, if Patel remains steadfast in his decision, Delhi Capitals boasts two experienced IPL captains within their ranks: Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. Both players recently joined DC from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) via trade deals, adding significant depth to the squad's leadership options.

• Rishabh Pant: A familiar face to the Capitals' captaincy, Pant has previously led the Delhi franchise with considerable success. His aggressive style and deep understanding of the team dynamics make him a natural choice.
• KL Rahul: Rahul brings a wealth of experience, having captained both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. His calm demeanor and strategic acumen are highly regarded in the IPL circuit.

Despite their capabilities, there's a slight hesitancy from both players as well. “Pant doesn't want to overthink the captaincy. Rahul hasn't shown much interest so far either,” the source added. This suggests that if Patel insists on stepping down, the management will need to engage in serious discussions with both Pant and Rahul to gauge their willingness to take on the leadership role.

Future Strategy: Bolstering the Bowling Attack

Beyond the captaincy conundrum, the Capitals' management is also focusing on strengthening other areas of the squad. Sources confirm that the franchise is not currently looking to trade any more players, as they are satisfied with their middle-order batting unit. The primary focus for the upcoming auction will be to bolster their bowling attack, which has seen a dip in potency, particularly after Kuldeep Yadav's trade to LSG. Reinforcing the bowling department will be critical for DC as they aim to return to contention in IPL 2027.