IPL 2025: Delhi Capitals decide on 2 Captains!! KL Rahul dented after buy

Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal revealed that KL Rahul and Axar Patel will lead the team during the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Parth Jindal stated that KL Rahul's batting style will suit the Delhi Capitals' home ground, adding that they are very excited to have him on the team.

On the opening day of the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah on Monday, November 24, the record for the highest bid was broken twice, first by Shreyas Iyer and then by Rishabh Pant. KL Rahul was expected to get a similar price range as them, but the Delhi Capitals franchise secured him for Rs 14 crores.

We're Very Excited To Have KL Rahul - Parth Jindal

Speaking via an official press release, Parth Jindal confirmed that KL Rahul and Axar Patel will captain the team for IPL 2025. Jindal highlighted that they wanted experienced players at the top order. He said that Rahul and Axar will guide the young batting lineup in the IPL 2025 season.

“We were looking for stability in the top order, someone with experience who can build the innings. And, I think KL Rahul, given his record in the IPL, he's someone who's consistently given more than 400 runs every season. I think with the Kotla wicket, it is going to suit his game. We're very excited to have him,” Parth Jindal said after the auction.

“We have a very young batting lineup. Both KL and Axar are going to lead them and are going to guide them. KL's batting and experience will be a vital cog in the wheel,” he further explained.

Rahul, who was the Orange Cap winner in 2020, is known for his consistent performances as an opener in the IPL. He has scored 4,683 runs in 132 matches at an average of 45.47 and a decent strike rate of 134.61, including four centuries and 37 half-centuries. He also offers wicketkeeping skills to the team.

The Karnataka cricketer previously captained both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. He guided the Lucknow-based team to playoffs in two of the last three seasons.

Parth Jindal stated that the Delhi Capitals aim to strengthen their bowling lineup on Day 2 of the IPL auction. He is confident in picking the balanced team during the auction.

“We just went for the best available talent. We're looking for a couple more bowlers tomorrow. I think the bowling attack will be very strong. Batting is also strong. Overall, it's going to be a very competitive squad," Jindal said.

Players acquired by DC on Day 1 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction:

Mitchell Starc (Rs 11.75 crore), KL Rahul (14 crores), Jake Fraser-McGurk (RTM), Harry Brook (6.25 crore), T Natarajan (10.75 crores), Karun Nair (50 lakhs), Sameer Rizvi (95 lakhs), Ashutosh Sharma (3.80 crores), Mohit Sharma (2.20 crore).

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