Sports

KL Rahul Declines Captaincy Role at Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025

Posted on by Srilakshmi

KL Rahul has reportedly turned down the opportunity to captain the Delhi Capitals (DC) for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This decision comes after the franchise acquired him for ₹14 crore during the mega auction, following his release from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). With Rahul opting to focus on his batting, Axar Patel is now poised to take over the leadership role.

Key Takeaways

  • KL Rahul has declined the captaincy offer from Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025.
  • Axar Patel is expected to be appointed as the new captain.
  • Rahul may miss the initial matches of the season due to personal reasons.

KL Rahul’s Decision

KL Rahul, who has previously captained both Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, has chosen to prioritise his performance as a player rather than take on the additional responsibilities of captaincy. Sources indicate that Rahul expressed a desire to contribute solely as a batter, which influenced his decision to decline the captaincy role offered by DC.

Axar Patel: The New Captain

With Rahul stepping back, Axar Patel has emerged as the frontrunner for the captaincy. Patel has been a consistent performer for the Delhi franchise since 2019 and was retained for ₹18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. Although he lacks formal captaincy experience in the IPL, his leadership qualities and recent success with the Indian national team, including a Champions Trophy victory, have made him a suitable candidate.

Rahul’s Personal Commitments

In addition to his decision regarding captaincy, KL Rahul is also expected to miss the first few matches of IPL 2025. This absence is not due to injury but is related to personal reasons, as he and his wife, Athiya Shetty, are expecting their first child in April 2025. This significant life event is likely to impact his availability at the start of the season.

Delhi Capitals’ Upcoming Season

The Delhi Capitals are gearing up for IPL 2025, with their season opener scheduled against Lucknow Super Giants on March 24, 2025. The franchise will now prepare under Axar Patel’s leadership, and fans are eager to see how the team performs with a new captain at the helm.

As the IPL season approaches, the dynamics within the Delhi Capitals will be closely watched, especially with the changes in leadership and the potential impact of Rahul’s personal commitments on the team’s performance.

Sources

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