Axar Patel was appointed captain of Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025, replacing Rishabh Pant. Following his debut season as captain, Delhi Capitals retained him as captain for IPL 2026, showing confidence in his leadership despite missing the playoffs in 2025.
He has prior captaincy experience leading Gujarat in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and currently serves as vice-captain of India’s T20I team.
IPL Captaincy Record
Season-wise Performance
| Season | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL 2024 | Delhi Capitals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| IPL 2025 | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 50.00 |
| Total | Delhi Capitals | 15 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 46.67 |
IPL 2025 Highlights
- Led DC to 4 consecutive wins at the start (franchise record)
- Team finished with 7 wins in 14 matches
- Delhi Capitals missed playoff qualification
- Fined Rs 12 lakh for slow over-rate against Mumbai Indians
Also Read: India vs South Africa Head-to-Head
Complete T20 Captaincy Record
All T20 Competitions
| Tournament | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | Gujarat | 16 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Indian Premier League | Delhi Capitals | 15 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 46.67 |
| Overall T20 | — | 31 | 17 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 55.17 |
Career Summary
Total T20 Matches as Captain: 31
Total Wins: 17
Total Losses: 13
No Results: 1
Overall Win Percentage: 55.17%
Current Roles:
- Captain: Delhi Capitals (IPL)
- Vice-Captain: India T20I team
- Former Captain: Gujarat (SMAT 2018-2024)
Key Statistics
- Best IPL Performance: 4 consecutive wins (IPL 2025 start)
- Domestic T20 Record: 62.50% win rate with Gujarat
- IPL Win Rate: 46.67% (15 matches)
- T20I Captaincy: No matches (Vice-Captain only)
Conclusion
Axar Patel’s first full season as IPL captain produced mixed results with a 50% win rate, including an impressive start of four consecutive victories. Despite missing the playoffs, Delhi Capitals showed faith in his leadership by retaining him as captain for IPL 2026.
His overall T20 captaincy record of 55.17% across 31 matches, particularly his strong domestic performance with Gujarat (62.50% win rate), suggests potential for growth
As he enters IPL 2026, Axar will aim to build on his experience, improve consistency, and guide Delhi Capitals to their first playoff appearance under his captaincy.
His development as a leader will be crucial for both his IPL franchise and his aspirations for future international captaincy opportunities.