IPL 2025: Three Players in Contention to Captain Delhi Capitals

The 18th season of the biggest T20 Cricket league in the world, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is about to commence on March 22, 2025. Kolkata Knight Riders are the reigning champions from last year. However, this time, they would have to defend their title against teams that are preparing their armory with exclusive combinations to win this year’s battle. One such team is Delhi Capitals, who are searching for the best candidate to be their leader for the upcoming season. The list is big, but some names stand out the most for the role of Delhi Capitals Captaincy. 

1. KL Rahul

One of the biggest investments of the IPL 2025 mega-auction came from the Delhi Capitals. They acquired star Indian batsman KL Rahul for a whopping sum of INR 14 crores. Rahul has previously captained IPL teams like Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. 

KL Rahul’s captaincy journey in the IPL started with the Punjab Kings in 2020. He was the leader of the Punjab team for two consecutive years before he moved to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2022. The investment of LSG in KL Rahul proved fruitful for the team. He led the team to the playoffs in their first two seasons. 

KL Rahul is one of the most experienced players in the IPL, and his versatility in batting at almost any place is known to all. His experience, wicket-keeping abilities behind the stumps and his versatile nature in batting make him a very eligible player to lead the team.

2. Faf du Plessis

Among the most elite investments of IPL 2025 comes another known to all names. South African batsman Faf du Plesis was acquired by Delhi Capitals for his base price of INR 2 crores. Earlier, he captained the famous franchise Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB) and took the team to the playoffs for two times in a row. 

Virat Kohli announced that he is retiring from captaincy for RCB in 2022. After this decision, the responsibility to lead the side came to Faf du Plesis’s shoulders. In the very first season of his captaincy, he took the team to the playoffs. With his bat, he scored 468 runs in 2022, and then in the next season, he was ravishing the bowlers. He made 730 runs in the 2023 IPL season and was left behind only by Shubhman Gill for the Orange Cap race. Faf Du Plesis surely has the capability to end the struggles of Delhi Capitals to land in the playoffs, both with his batting as well as his sharp mind. 

3. Axar Patel

Axar Patel has been the longest-serving team member for the Delhi Capitals team. He joined the Delhi Capitals in 2019. Right from that season, the team took great care that they never lost this gem. He is the highest-paid player in the DC franchise and has emerged lately as a strong contender for captaincy. In the absence of Rishabh Pant during his injury, Axar Patel captained the team in one season. Even when Rishabh Pant was in the team, it was made sure that the vice-captain would be Axar Patel. 

After his continuous batting performances in the Champions Trophy this year, he is looking like a deadly player whom every team wishes they had. His spin bowling has never disappointed, whether it be the IPL tournament or international matches for the country. With his current batting form, he can even open for the DC as an opener. Axar’s mandate as captain would also add confidence to the young players who joined DC recently that the franchise trusts their seasoned players. 

Read Also:– IPL 2025: New Rules, Fresh Challenges – Here’s What’s Changing

Conclusion

All of us will have to wait till 22nd March to get the final answer to this question. As of now, these three contenders are leading in the race to become the captain for the side. All three of them are very talented and experienced players. For the management of Delhi Capitals, it will be a tough call to pick any one of them. Whoever becomes the captain will have a pivotal role in shaping the Delhi Capitals’ journey in this TATA IPL 2025.