After a horror show in IPL 2026 and several managerial failures, the Delhi Capitals are likely to make some wholesome changes in their coaching staff, while skipper Axar Patel's captaincy will also be in grave danger.
Several teams have been officially eliminated from the contest, as the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants are no longer in the race for the playoffs. It can also be said that the Delhi Capitals, who are now placed in the seventh spot in the points table, have only mathematical chances, with no real chances.
The Delhi Capitals, led by Axar Patel, have won five matches in a row after having played 12 matches this season and still have the chance to equal their points tally from last season by winning the rest of their games; however, it would not hand them a spot in the playoffs.
Key Points
- Axar Patel’s Delhi Capitals captaincy is reportedly under serious threat after IPL 2026 failures.
- Major changes are expected in the Delhi Capitals coaching staff ahead of IPL 2027.
- Reports claim DC management was unhappy with Axar Patel’s leadership and tactical decisions.
Axar Patel's captaincy in grave danger: Will the Indian all-rounder be retained by Delhi in 2027?
The reports from the PTI agency claimed that Axar Patel, the Delhi Capitals skipper, is not likely to retain his captaincy for the next season. The same report has also claimed that the coaching staff is likely to be changed after this season.
After being appointed the skipper of the side, Axar Patel's best season with the bat probably came back in 2025, where he amassed 263 runs across 12 matches but only managed to pick five wickets in the season. However, this season his form has been poor with the bat, and he has amassed only 100 runs and picked up 10 wickets with the ball.
However, several questions have been raised over Axar Patel's captaincy and his decision-making ability on the field. One of the major concerns has been Axar underbowling himself, as he has bowled just 36 overs across 12 games, despite having an economy of 8.08.
"With Axar completely failing to prove his leadership worth and mostly being dependent on Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao for decision-making, it will be a miracle if he retains captaincy next year," claimed the PTI report.
With a major shift in decision-making powers in the management, Axar Patel might be retained in the DC squad, but he is not likely to be captaining them any further.
Delhi Capitals' change in power demands a massive shift in the coaching panel
Delhi Capitals have an equal split in ownership as well as duties performed. The two owners, JSW and GMR, have split management responsibilities in alternate cycles. The upcoming season will mark Parth Jindal and JSW taking charge of cricket operations.
The Delhi management has failed constantly over this season as the Capitals have failed to perform promisingly. Decision-making powers shift from GMR to JSW ahead of the 2027 season, and hence, they might want to make massive changes to the Delhi Capitals management.
"The entire coaching staff is also unlikely to be retained," an IPL source tracking developments told PTI on the conditions of anonymity.
Abhishek Porel to Prithvi Shaw: 5 players who were underused by DC
The Delhi Capitals have underused many of their star players, while having backed many players who have underperformed throughout the season. The Capitals have handed several chances to the likes of Sameer Rizvi and Nitish Rana, who have failed to perform.
However, Abhishek Porel, the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter who was the Capitals' most promising Indian performer over the past two seasons, has failed to earn a spot for himself in the XI. He has just played a handful of games this season. Prithvi Shaw, on the other hand, has not been handed a single chance to play this season.
However, Madhav Tiwari was used too late this season, and so was Ashutosh Sharma, who was used much later in this season, which raised many eyebrows. Lastly, Vipraj Nigam was also underused despite his good season in 2025.
