Axar Patel set to be sacked as Delhi Capitals captain before IPL 2026

With major changes expected ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, the Delhi Capitals are reportedly preparing to appoint a new skipper. According to reports, the Delhi Capitals are most likely to get a new captain for IPL 2026, with all-rounder Axar Patel continuing as a player but not as the leader.

Delhi Capitals made a surprise call ahead of IPL 2025, handing the captaincy to Axar Patel after Rishabh Pant’s move to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). While many anticipated that KL Rahul would take charge of the franchise, he declined the leadership role, which opened the door for Axar to step in as skipper.

Axar Patel To Be Removed From DC Captaincy

According to a report by a News24 journalist, the Delhi Capitals are considering a captaincy change ahead of IPL 2026, with Axar Patel expected to continue only as a player and not as captain.

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Delhi Capitals Most Likely To Get A New Captain For IPL 2026.

Axar To Continue As Player But Not As Captain. pic.twitter.com/Z1Xgmx879R

— Vaibhav Bhola 🇮🇳 (@VibhuBhola) August 31, 2025

The franchise could appoint experienced names like KL Rahul or Faf du Plessis, while younger options such as Tristan Stubbs can be considered as part of their long-term planning.

For now, neither the franchise nor Axar has issued an official statement, leaving the captaincy situation open to speculation.

Axar Removed as T20I Vice-Captain from India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad

Axar was recently removed from the vice-captaincy in India's T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 9. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the team, while Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain.

Gill, who recently took charge of the Test side and already serves as ODI deputy, is now part of the leadership group across all formats. The right-handed batter had an impressive Test series in England, where he scored 754 runs with four centuries and guided India to a 2-2 draw.

Meanwhile, Axar, who served as vice-captain in the England T20I series earlier this year, will return as a key all-rounder. He was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph and will look to make a similar impact in the Asia Cup.

Delhi Capitals Narrowly Missed Out on a Spot in IPL 2025 Playoffs

Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, narrowly missed qualifying for the IPL 2025 playoffs. Axar Patel contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 263 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 157.48 and taking five wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.47.

The franchise made changes ahead of the mega auction, parting ways with former captain Rishabh Pant and appointing Axar Patel as the new leader. The team won their first four matches but struggled to maintain consistency as the season progressed.

Delhi finished in fifth place in the 10-team points table following the league stage. The team had 15 points from 14 games, while the Mumbai Indians (MI) qualified as the fourth team with 16 points.

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