The world’s premier T20 cricket league is gearing up for its 18th season, set to kick off on March 22. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 will see Kolkata Knight Riders defend their title. With just 11 days left until the tournament begins, Delhi Capitals (DC) are the only team yet to announce their captain for the season.
After releasing Rishabh Pant, the franchise is aiming for a fresh start. DC is on the hunt for their first-ever IPL title and has failed to reach the playoffs in the past three seasons.
1. KL Rahul
The major reason DC invested INR 14 crores in KL Rahul at the IPL 2025 mega auction was his versatility, particularly his potential to captain the side. He is seen as a replacement for Rishabh Pant, offering the same skills—keeping wickets, batting in the top order, and leading the team. This was one of the key factors that led DC to pursue Rahul at the auction. While the decision on whether Rahul will be the new DC captain is still pending, his extensive captaincy experience in the IPL keeps him in contention.
2. Faf du Plessis
Some franchises made excellent acquisitions at the IPL 2025 mega auction, and securing Faf du Plessis for just his base price of INR 2 crores was one of the best deals. His vast experience is priceless, and he is fit enough to play for a few more seasons. However, what truly stands out is his captaincy experience. Du Plessis led RCB to the playoffs in two out of three seasons as captain, whereas DC failed to qualify in any of those. He is also an opening batsman and an excellent fielder, making him a strong contender to be named the Capitals’ captain for the season.
3. Axar Patel
Another strong contender for the captaincy is all-rounder Axar Patel, who has been with the Capitals for several years. Currently, Axar is the highest-paid player in the team, having been retained since 2019. He has previously captained the side in Pant’s absence during one match and has also served as vice-captain. As a core member of the team with international success to his name, Axar’s chances of becoming the new DC captain have certainly increased.