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KL Rahul in Doubt for IPL 2025 Opener? Delhi Capitals Considering Captaincy Change

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With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 now behind, the focus has shifted to IPL 2025, which is set to begin on March 22. While most teams have finalized their captaincy choices, Delhi Capitals are yet to name their skipper. Their previous captain, Rishabh Pant, was released before the mega auction and will now lead Lucknow Super Giants. Reports suggest that KL Rahul and Axar Patel are the leading contenders to take charge of Delhi Capitals.

Pre-Season Plans and Player Arrivals

Delhi Capitals will start their training camp in Delhi before heading to Visakhapatnam, where they will play their first two matches. Several key players, including Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Mitchell Starc, are expected to join the squad by March 17 and 18.

However, KL Rahul’s availability for the early matches remains uncertain. He and his wife, Bollywood actress Athiya Shetty, are expecting their first child, which could result in him missing the initial games.

Axar Patel: A Strong Contender

Axar Patel has been with Delhi Capitals for seven seasons and is viewed as a natural leader within the squad. The 31-year-old all-rounder has played 150 IPL matches, scoring 1,653 runs at a strike rate of nearly 131 and picking up 123 wickets with an economy of 7.28.

Although he has never captained an IPL team, his long-term association with the franchise and all-round skills make him a strong candidate for the leadership role.

KL Rahul’s Captaincy Experience

KL Rahul, on the other hand, has led IPL teams in the past, captaining Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. Under his leadership, LSG reached the playoffs twice, although he missed part of one season due to injury.

Rahul has been a consistent performer in the IPL, scoring 4,683 runs at a strike rate of 134-plus. He has hit four centuries and has scored over 500 runs in six out of the last seven seasons, with the only exception being 2023, when he was ruled out mid-season.

With Rahul’s availability still in question, Delhi Capitals might consider naming Axar Patel as captain, at least for the initial matches. The franchise is expected to make an official announcement soon.

Story First Published at www.probatsman.com on 10 March 2025

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