IPL 2025: KL Rahul Rejects Delhi Capitals Captaincy Despite Being Top Candidate

KL Rahul Rejects Captaincy Role; Axar Patel Becomes the Top Choice

As per the reports, now that the captaincy offer has been rejected by KL Rahul, star all-rounder Axar Patel is being nominated as the leading candidate for the role. The leadership race for Delhi Capitals, succeeding Rishabh Pant, was dominated by KL Rahul and Axar Patel. However, since the keeper-batsman has declined the offer, Axar is almost certain to be appointed as the team’s leader for IPL 2025.

Despite being instrumental in the Champions Trophy success, Axar has no prior IPL captaincy experience. However, his long-standing association with the franchise has led the Delhi Capitals’ owners to select him as their new captain.

DC will begin their campaign against Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) which will be led by their former captain Rishabh Pant. The clash will take place on March 24 in Visakhapatnam.

“I’d never ask for the opportunity myself. If you feel my captaincy skills are good enough and see value in my playing style, my composure, and the way I’ve led my team over the past four to five years, then I’d be more than happy to take on the responsibility,” he told Star Sports.

Leading from the Front: Rahul’s Stint as PBKS and LSG Captain

KL Rahul has shouldered the responsibility of captaining the Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG), leading them in 64 matches with a win percentage of 48.43. On the other hand, Axar Patel is yet to make his IPL captaincy debut. Under Rahul’s leadership, LSG secured playoff spots in two successive seasons. However, in the third season, the team failed to reach the last four, and he was removed from the squad before the mega-auction.

Rahul captained PBKS (then Kings XI Punjab), where Patel played under his leadership. In 2019, Delhi Capitals brought Patel into their squad. The left-handed all-rounder has recorded 967 runs in 62 innings at an average of 23.58, with three half-centuries. In DC’s history, he has been placed third among the highest wicket-takers, having secured 62 dismissals in 82 games, averaging 32.14 per wicket. His economy rate has remained an impressive 7.06 runs per over.