Axar Patel | New Delhi Capitals - IPL 2025 | Axar Patel Ready to Lead vs LSG

Delhi Capitals IPL 2025: Axar Patel Ready to Lead as DC Gear Up for Season Opener vs LSG

As the Delhi Capitals IPL 2025 campaign gets ready to kick off, a wave of fresh energy and renewed ambition surrounds the franchise. With Axar Patel stepping into the captain’s role for the first time, the Capitals are entering a new era one marked by simplicity in approach and boldness in execution. The franchise, co-owned by JSW and GMR, will play their opening match of the season against the Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, March 24, at their second home ground the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Addressing the media ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Axar Patel Delhi Capitals captain, along with head coach Hemang Badani, spoke with confidence about the team’s preparation, intent, and mindset heading into the IPL 2025 season. For Axar, who has been an integral part of the DC set-up since 2019, the promotion to captaincy is both a personal honour and a professional responsibility he is eager to embrace.

“I’ve been playing for this franchise since 2019, and it has played a huge role in my development as a cricketer,” Axar said. “Being entrusted with the leadership is a proud moment for me. We have several leaders in the group, and their experience will guide us. It’s a balanced squad this year, and I believe we are capable of delivering the kind of performances that our fans expect from us.”

The 30-year-old all-rounder also stressed the value of keeping things uncomplicated. According to Axar, simplicity will be the foundation of his captaincy. “Cricket is ultimately a game. I told the team to focus on execution, keep things simple, and not chase specific results. When you’re clear in your approach, the results take care of themselves,” he shared during the pre-match conference.

There is plenty of excitement about this new Delhi Capitals core, especially with young domestic talent blending with international experience. Though there has been a change in leadership, the core group still includes seasoned players such as David Warner, Kuldeep Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, and Anrich Nortje. Additionally, players like Rishabh Pant and Mitchell Marsh if available later in the season can further bolster the unit. However, for now, the focus is on how Axar and the support staff will extract the best from the group available for the initial phase of DC vs LSG 2025.

Hemang Badani, who took over as the full-time head coach after Ricky Ponting’s departure, echoed Axar’s sentiments on clarity and consistency. Known for his tactical acumen and calm demeanor, Badani spoke about the team’s philosophy and how they’ve been preparing for the opening clash. While he kept the opening combination under wraps, calling it a “suspense,” he did share insights about the new rules introduced in IPL 2025 and how Delhi is adapting to them.

“Cricket should always be about balance between bat and ball. With the reintroduction of saliva for shining the ball and the new rule allowing the fielding team to change the ball between overs 11-20 in the second innings, I believe the contest is now more even. Even slight movement can create opportunities for bowlers,” Badani noted.

With the ACA-VDCA Stadium Visakhapatnam hosting Delhi’s first fixture, Axar believes his team is well-acquainted with the conditions. “It’s a batting-friendly pitch,” he said. “Last season, we played two games here and saw some very high totals. But we’re prepared. We’ve done our homework and have strategies in place to counter those situations.”

DC played their home matches in Visakhapatnam last season due to the unavailability of the Arun Jaitley Stadium, and the support from the crowd in the coastal city was immense. The return to this venue is expected to bring back good memories and a familiar environment for several players, especially Axar, who has played here across formats.

While DC vs LSG 2025 is a fresh start for the Capitals, it’s also a test. Last season saw DC finishing outside the playoff spots, struggling for consistency and balance. This year, with new leadership and a new outlook, they are looking to set a new tone starting with the opening match. Axar’s growth as a dependable all-rounder in India’s white-ball setup and his composed personality make him a promising leader. Whether he can translate that calmness into consistent results is something fans will watch closely.

The DC management is also backing its blend of youth and experience. Players like Yash Dhull, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar are expected to step up this season. Foreign signings like Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Jhye Richardson could also be game-changers depending on form and availability.

For the fans of Delhi Capitals IPL 2025, there’s cautious optimism. The franchise has reached the playoffs several times in the past five years but has struggled to go all the way. With a fresh perspective under Axar and a support staff including legends like Sourav Ganguly in the advisory role, Delhi’s ambitions are clear they want to finish what they’ve often started well.

As matchday approaches, anticipation builds. Will DC start strong? Will Axar’s leadership create the impact everyone is hoping for? The answers will begin to unfold on Monday night under the Vizag lights as the DC vs LSG 2025 clash sets the tone for Delhi’s IPL season.