The Delhi Capitals could be headed for a leadership dilemma ahead of IPL 2027, with reports suggesting captain Axar Patel is reluctant to continue in the role
As IPL franchises gear up to identify areas they need to fix ahead of the IPL retentions and the 2027 mini auction, the Delhi Capitals encountered a significant problem after all-rounder and team skipper Axar Patel expressed reluctance to take up captaincy.
Axar was handed the Delhi Capitals’ captaincy in IPL 2025, and the franchise showed immense promise at the start but failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last two seasons. The all-rounder’s form also took a major hit, scoring just 173 runs and picking up 11 wickets in 14 matches.
Axar ‘hesitant’ to lead DC
According to TOI, Axar is hesitant to continue as captain, but the franchise is keen to retain him in the leadership role and has been trying to persuade him. As Axar is a core figure in the team’s plans, Delhi Capitals management rejected attractive trade offers for him.
The report added that franchise management is also delaying a final decision on captaincy until after the auction process is completed.
More from Firstcricket“Axar is very reluctant to continue as captain. The management is trying to convince him. Axar is very important to the franchise. Capitals have turned down multiple lucrative trade offers this season. The management has held back finalising the captain till the auctions are done,” a source said, according to the report.
DC also made notable changes in coaching staff
The Delhi Capitals underwent a major coaching overhaul, with the legendary Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly replacing Hemang Badani as head coach. The management also roped in Yuvraj Singh as assistant coach, marking a major shift ahead of IPL 2027.
Reports also indicate that differences between Badani and then-director of cricket Venugopal Rao in aligning with the team management may have contributed to Axar’s reluctance to commit to the captaincy.
Given Axar’s reluctance, the franchise could turn to Rishabh Pant, whom they recently welcomed back after a trade from LSG.
Only a confirmation from the Delhi Capitals would clear the air on their captaincy situation for the upcoming IPL 2027 season.