Picture Credit: X/IPL
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) set to announce the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 schedule on Sunday, February 16, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has suggested three names who can lead Delhi Capitals (DC). It is to be noted that out of the ten IPL franchises, two franchises are yet to reveal their skipper, including DC and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra named three picks who could be seen leading the Delhi-based franchise in the 18th edition. While several have hinted on Indian all-rounder Axar Patel donning the captain’s hat, but a few also think that it could be wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who previously led Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
I have a feeling that it could be Axar Patel: Aakash Chopra
Although the former Indian cricketer believes that Axar Patel is the frontrunner after he was retained by the franchise for INR 16.50 Crore. “I feel Delhi have three options. They have Axar Patel and KL Rahul, and they have Faf du Plessis as well. They retained Axar Patel. Bapu's stature is growing. He has been outstanding of late. He is the Indian T20I team's vice-captain," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
"He will play the Champions Trophy as well and has been given a very important role in the Indian ODI team. He is mature. He is brilliant. He understands the pulse of the game. He puts the team ahead of himself. So he could be a great choice," he continued. The former India batter also added, "The second is KL Rahul. I feel they got him cheap. It was a steal. He has got some captaincy credentials. He has captained India, the Punjab Kings, and the Lucknow Super Giants for three years, and they qualified for two years as well. So he could be the captain.”
Although, the two Indian cricketers have been a strong choice, Chopra suggested that Faf du Plessis could be an option. "I think it's going to be a close race. One has been retained, and the other has been bought. So one between the two, or else if they want to think absolutely left-field, then Faf du Plessis, who is not getting old at all. However, I have a feeling that it could be Axar," he remarked.
Delhi Capitals' squad for IPL 2025
Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Harry Brook, Jake Fraser-McGurk, T Natarajan, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Faf du Plessis, Dushmantha Chameera, Vipraj Nigam, Darshan Nalkande, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari
