Axar Patel Wants To Quit As Delhi Capitals Captain Ahead Of IPL 2027: Rishabh Pant And KL Rahul Emerge As Possible Replacements

Axar Patel Reportedly Wants To Step Down As Delhi Capitals Captain Ahead Of IPL 2027 After Two Disappointing Seasons; Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul And Sourav Ganguly Could Play Key Roles In The Franchise’s Next Captaincy Decision Before The IPL Auction

Delhi Capitals could witness a major leadership change ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season. According to a report published by The Times of India on November 12, 2026, India’s star all-rounder Axar Patel is reportedly reluctant to continue as the captain of Delhi Capitals after two disappointing seasons.

Axar Patel took charge of the franchise before IPL 2025. However, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in both editions under his leadership. These disappointing campaigns have reportedly raised questions about the team’s captaincy plans for the upcoming season.

Although Axar is considering stepping down, the Delhi Capitals management is reportedly keen to convince him to continue leading the side. The franchise considers him an important member of its squad and does not want to lose his services.

Why Is Axar Patel Considering Leaving Captaincy?

Axar Patel’s reported decision comes after two challenging IPL seasons for Delhi Capitals. The franchise finished fifth in IPL 2025 before slipping to sixth position in the 2026 edition.

Despite having several experienced players, Delhi struggled to maintain consistency throughout the tournaments. The team missed out on playoff qualification, increasing pressure on its leadership group.

Axar also experienced a difficult individual campaign in IPL 2026. He scored 173 runs and picked up 11 wickets in 14 matches. Although his all-round abilities remain valuable, his performances were below expectations compared with previous seasons.

According to the report, the management is still trying to persuade Axar to retain the captaincy. However, the final decision is expected after the upcoming mini-auction.

Rishabh Pant Could Return As Delhi Capitals Captain

Rishabh Pant is among the strongest candidates to take over the Delhi Capitals captaincy if Axar Patel decides to step down.

Pant previously captained Delhi Capitals between 2021 and 2024. During his leadership period, he established himself as an important figure in the franchise’s dressing room.

After leaving Delhi, Pant joined Lucknow Super Giants and led the franchise during IPL 2025 and 2026. However, Lucknow also failed to qualify for the playoffs during his captaincy tenure.

His return to Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027 has created fresh possibilities for the franchise. Pant is familiar with the team environment and has previous experience leading the side.

However, his batting responsibilities could also influence the management’s decision regarding his leadership role.

KL Rahul Another Strong Captaincy Option

KL Rahul is another experienced player who could become Delhi Capitals’ next captain.

Rahul has previously led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. His experience of managing different teams makes him a strong candidate for the leadership position.

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His batting performance in IPL 2026 was also impressive. Rahul scored 593 runs in 14 matches for Delhi Capitals, making valuable contributions with the bat.

If Axar Patel steps down, Delhi could consider Rahul’s experience and consistent batting performances while finalising its captaincy plans.

The franchise will have to decide whether it wants to continue with an all-rounder as captain or hand leadership responsibilities to an experienced top-order batter.

Sourav Ganguly’s Return Could Influence Delhi Capitals’ Decision

Another major development ahead of IPL 2027 is the return of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly as Delhi Capitals’ head coach.

Ganguly has previously worked with the franchise in different capacities and understands its team structure. His appointment comes as Delhi looks to rebuild its campaign after several disappointing seasons.

Yuvraj Singh has also joined the coaching setup as an assistant coach.

With experienced personalities such as Ganguly and Yuvraj involved, Delhi Capitals will hope to establish a stronger team environment and improve their overall performances.

Ganguly’s experience in international cricket and leadership could prove important while the franchise evaluates its captaincy options.

What Will Happen During The IPL 2027 Auction?

The upcoming IPL auction will be important for Delhi Capitals as they prepare their squad for the next season.

The franchise has reportedly rejected multiple attractive trade offers for Axar Patel, indicating that it continues to value his contribution.

With Axar, Pant and Rahul available as experienced leadership options, Delhi has several possibilities to consider.

The mini-auction will also provide an opportunity to strengthen areas where the team struggled during the previous season.

The management is expected to finalise its leadership plans after assessing the squad composition and available players.

Can Delhi Capitals Win Their First IPL Trophy In 2027?

Delhi Capitals have been searching for their maiden IPL championship for several years. Despite having talented Indian and overseas players, the franchise has struggled to maintain the consistency required to win the tournament.

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A clear captaincy structure, stronger performances and improved team coordination will be essential for IPL 2027.

Whether Axar Patel continues as captain or Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul takes over, the franchise needs a stable leadership group.

For now, Axar’s reported reluctance has created an interesting situation ahead of the new season. Cricket fans will be watching closely to see how Sourav Ganguly and the Delhi Capitals management resolve the captaincy question before IPL 2027.

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