IPL 2025: Aakash Chopra Supports Axar Patel for Delhi Capitals Captaincy
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In IPL 2025, Aakash Chopra identifies Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis as key candidates for Delhi Capitals captaincy. He believes Axar's recent performance and leadership qualities position him as the likely choice for the role.
Key Takeaways
- Axar Patel is a leading candidate for captaincy
- Delhi has retained Axar for Rs 16.50 crore
- KL Rahul brings valuable leadership experience
- Faf du Plessis is a potential, though unconventional, option
- Rajat Patidar has been appointed new RCB captain
New Delhi, Feb 14 (NationPress) Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricket star, has pinpointed three strong contenders for the captaincy of the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025 - Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Faf du Plessis. He opines that Axar may lead the pack due to his recent elevation in prominence within Indian cricket.
The Delhi franchise retained Axar for a substantial Rs 16.50 crore before last year's mega auction, demonstrating their confidence in his skills. They subsequently acquired KL Rahul for Rs 14 crore and Faf du Plessis for Rs 2 crore during the Jeddah auction.
Axar had an impressive IPL 2024 campaign, claiming 11 wickets at an economy rate of 7.65, alongside scoring 235 runs at a notable strike rate of 131.28 across 12 innings.
"In my opinion, Delhi has three viable options. They have Axar Patel and KL Rahul, along with Faf du Plessis as well. They chose to retain Axar Patel. His stature is on the rise. He has been exceptional lately. He serves as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
"He is set to participate in the Champions Trophy and has been entrusted with a crucial role in the Indian ODI setup. He displays maturity and brilliance. He grasps the game's nuances. He prioritizes the team's needs over his own. Thus, he could be an excellent selection."
Chopra also acknowledged KL Rahul's leadership experience as a compelling aspect of his captaincy candidacy. "The second option is KL Rahul. I believe they acquired him at a bargain price. It was a fantastic deal. He possesses substantial captaincy experience, having led India, the Punjab Kings, and the Lucknow Super Giants for three years, during which they qualified for two of those years. So, he could be a potential captain," he noted.
When considering less conventional choices, Chopra mentioned Faf du Plessis as a possibility, but he leaned towards Axar being the ultimate selection for the franchise. "I think it will be a tightly contested decision. One has been retained while the other was purchased. So, it will be a choice between the two, or if they opt for an unconventional pick, then Faf du Plessis, who shows no signs of aging. However, my inclination is towards Axar," he remarked.
In a notable captaincy update, Chopra expressed his astonishment regarding the appointment of Rajat Patidar as the new captain for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025. "Rajat Patidar has taken the reins at RCB. It remains to be seen how effective he will be. Many expected it would be Kohli, but that’s not the case. Rajat Patidar is now the eighth captain. Previously, they had renowned leaders like Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Kevin Pietersen, Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson, Faf du Plessis, and Virat Kohli, who captained them for the longest duration."
While RCB is yet to secure an IPL title, Chopra underscored that they continue to be a formidable team. "Remarkable players have led this franchise. We evaluate a franchise's success based on the trophies they have won. They have not clinched even one, yet it does not denote a failure. It's a fairly successful franchise without a title. It’s not a team that consistently finishes at the bottom of the table or is close to the wooden spoon," he commented.
