IPL 2025: Axar Patel's Opportunity to Shine as Delhi Capitals' Leader

New Delhi, March 23 (NationPress) In the last year, Axar Patel has seen a remarkable rise in his standing within Indian cricket. The all-rounder played a vital role with both bat and ball, contributing significantly to India's triumphs in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.

As if that wasn't enough, Axar was appointed vice-captain during India’s 4-1 T20I series victory over England earlier this year. Following his second ICC title in Dubai, he has now been named the captain of the Delhi Capitals—one of the three original franchises still seeking their first IPL championship.

Having observed Axar's development while leading Gujarat, Priyank Panchal believes he is well-equipped to guide DC effectively in IPL 2025. “Reflecting on his early days—when he began with Gujarat—his all-rounder skills were evident. He excelled in bowling and was naturally talented, but had to put in the hard work to elevate his batting,” Panchal noted.

“He captained the Gujarat under-19 team and led the squad in a few matches during their 2016-17 Ranji Trophy championship run. He understands the nuances of captaincy well. Having served as vice-captain for a while, this promotion feels like a natural step for him,” he added.

“In my experience, Axar is calm and composed, which makes him suitable for a captaincy role. If the Delhi Capitals secure the IPL title under his leadership, it would be a remarkable achievement. He is someone you cannot underestimate, both as a captain and an all-rounder,” Panchal expressed in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Axar’s previous stint as DC captain was during a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, filling in for Rishabh Pant who was suspended for one game due to an over-rate violation.

He also captained Gujarat in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where they narrowly missed the knockout stage due to a lower net run rate than Baroda and Saurashtra. Under his leadership, Gujarat reached the quarter-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy before being knocked out by Haryana.

Panchal sees qualities in Axar that remind him of MS Dhoni's leadership style. “What sets Axar apart is his egalitarian approach; he treats all players equally, fostering camaraderie with younger teammates. He is supportive, offering encouragement to those who might be struggling,” he explained.

“Leadership is about simplicity, as we saw with MS Dhoni. Axar embodies this by executing basic strategies effectively. While he isn't being directly compared to Dhoni, his level-headedness and straightforward style make him an ideal candidate for captaincy,” Panchal elaborated.

He continued, “Axar will make strategic decisions, utilizing his options wisely while ensuring that simple actions yield significant results.”

His teammates, including Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs, and Mohit Sharma, have noted that his light-hearted demeanor will contribute to a relaxed atmosphere within the team. Panchal, however, emphasized Axar's tactical intelligence.

“Axar has a keen sense for assessing batters and bowlers. He remains engaged in the game, demonstrating excellent instincts. For instance, he can anticipate where a batter might score runs and adjust field placements accordingly,” he stated.

“In terms of batting, he adapts his approach based on circumstances. If he decides not to attack an off-spinner but instead aims for a cover shot, he plays in line with that strategy. He understands the risks involved in T20 cricket,” he added.

Axar's tactical acumen—especially in managing bowler rotations and communicating effectively within the Delhi Capitals framework—will be scrutinized as he navigates the intense atmosphere of a prestigious tournament like the IPL.

Panchal concluded with optimism, stating that the new support staff for DC will ease Axar's captaincy duties. “His focus will primarily be on managing local players and facilitating communication with the overseas contingent. Most players are Indian, apart from four international players,” he explained.

“Axar's extensive experience in the domestic circuit positions him well to maximize the potential of local players. High-caliber players like Mitchell Starc and Faf du Plessis possess such game awareness that they often require minimal direction.

“In franchise cricket, the captain's role is streamlined; the focus is on optimizing performance from all eleven players, while the coach typically handles impact player strategies. With abundant data available, Axar's captaincy will be manageable,” he concluded.