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Aakash Chopra believes Axar Patel is a good option to lead Delhi Capitals but the franchise might be tempted by KL Rahul’s ‘brand value’.
KL Rahul-led LSG finished seventh last season. (BCCI Photo)
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has commented on Delhi Capitals’ possible captaincy choices for IPL 2025. He feels they have two good Indian options in Axar Patel and KL Rahul, where the former’s international career is on the rise, while the latter brings ‘a lot of things’ with him, including ‘brand value’.
The Capitals let go of Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL 2025 auction and missed out on signing the most obvious captaincy choice available in the pool, Shreyas Iyer, who went to Punjab Kings. They then signed Rahul, who was Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s captain last season, for Rs 14 crore.
On the other hand, Axar was Pant’s vice-captain last season and has been given the same job in India’s T20I side for the upcoming series against England.
“Three captains have not yet been announced, and I am wondering what is going to happen there,” Chopra said on YouTube. “You might be thinking who will be Delhi’s captain? Since we get all sources-led news these days, a lot of reports say that Axar Patel, who has become the Indian team’s vice-captain recently, could be the captain there.”
“That is a possibility. He is ready. I, too, advocated that you are taking KL Rahul but it’s not mandatory to make him the captain. You have another Indian option available to you. However, it will be interesting to see what the team thinks. KL Rahul brings a lot of things. He also brings brand value with him, and sometimes franchises think like that also, as to what is better for their setup,” he added.
Going with Axar would be taking a fresh start for the Capitals and their young squad. Rahul would come with a bit of baggage from his rough time with PBKS and LSG as captain in previous years, albeit he’d be a more certain starter in the team, given his position as an opener and wicketkeeper.
The other two teams who are yet to announce the captaincy for IPL 2025 are Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won IPL 2024 under Shreyas, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who released Faf du Plessis before the auction.