In a recent discussion, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra highlighted potential candidates for the Delhi Capitals’ captaincy in the 2025 IPL season. Among the names mentioned were Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis. Chopra emphasized Axar Patel’s rising prominence in Indian cricket, suggesting he could be the frontrunner for the leadership role.
Axar Patel: The Leading Contender
Axar Patel’s recent performances have been noteworthy. In the IPL 2024 season, he secured 11 wickets with an economy rate of 7.65 and contributed 235 runs at a strike rate of 131.28 over 12 innings. Chopra remarked on Axar’s evolving role, stating, “His stature is growing. He has been outstanding of late. He is the Indian T20I team’s vice-captain and will play in the Champions Trophy. He has an important role in the Indian ODI team. He is mature, brilliant, and understands the pulse of the game.”
KL Rahul: A Seasoned Leader
KL Rahul brings a wealth of leadership experience to the table. Having captained teams like Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, he has a proven track record. Chopra noted, “He has captained India, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants for three years and helped them qualify for two of those seasons.”
Faf du Plessis: The Dark Horse
While primarily focusing on Axar and Rahul, Chopra also mentioned Faf du Plessis as a potential candidate. However, he believes the leadership role is more likely to be assigned to Axar. “If they want to think outside the box, Faf du Plessis could be considered. But I have a feeling it could be Axar,” Chopra commented.
Delhi Capitals’ Strategic Retentions and Acquisitions
Ahead of the mega auction last year, Delhi Capitals retained Axar Patel for ₹16.50 crore, underscoring their confidence in his abilities. Subsequently, they acquired KL Rahul for ₹14 crore and Faf du Plessis for ₹2 crore during the Jeddah auction.
Conclusion
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the Delhi Capitals face a pivotal decision in appointing their new captain. With strong endorsements from figures like Aakash Chopra, Axar Patel emerges as a compelling choice to lead the team.
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