Axar Patel set to be replaced as Delhi Capitals captain ahead of IPL 2026: Reports
A mega auction in the Indian Premier League introduces a significant transition in a team. Following the mega auction, any franchise is expected to set their combination for the entirety of the next cycle. The IPL 2025 mega auction witnessed almost every franchise transforming the set-up, with some of them even refreshing their cores. However, it seems like the transition is not serving some of them well. Just a day after Rajasthan Royals announced the departure of Rahul Dravid as their head coach, a report has now suggested that Delhi Capitals is looking forward to a captaincy change.
Axar Patel set to be sacked as Delhi Capitals captain ahead of IPL 2026
The latest reports surrounding the IPL have strongly hinted that Axar Patel is set to be sacked from the captaincy spot in the Delhi Capitals team. The Indian all-rounder has been central to the DC camp for a long time now. After releasing Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, DC picked KL Rahul in the squad. The former LSG skipper was anticipated to lead DC in IPL 2025. However, the leadership went to Axar Patel after Rahul reportedly declined the role.
Delhi Capitals started the campaign impressively with a four-match winning streak. However, the Axar Patel-led team lost its mojo midway, failing to qualify for the playoffs despite earning the best start among the ten teams. Now, as the teams gear up for the IPL 2026 mini auction, recent reports have suggested that Patel is on his way to losing the captain's spot.
The report further explains that the spin all-rounder is likely to be a part of the DC squad, but not in the capacity of the leader. Meanwhile, it is still not clear whether the Capitals have identified their next skipper. Former RCB captain Faf du Plessis was DC's designated vice-captain last season, also filling in for an unwell Patel in some of the matches. However, with du Plessis in the twilight of his career, the Protean is unlikely to claim the leadership. The obvious choice, if the player himself agrees, would be KL Rahul.
KL Rahul led Lucknow Super Giants to two consecutive playoffs since the team's arrival in the IPL back in 2022. However, one disappointing season, IPL 2024, scripted Rahul's exit from the LSG camp. LSG is now led by Rishabh Pant, DC's ex-captain. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who welcomed a baby girl at the start of IPL 2025, reportedly declined DC's captaincy. It remains to be seen if Rahul's stance changes for the next season.
