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After guiding Team India to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title triumph with his unbeaten 34-run knock, Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has reportedly rejected the offer of leading his new Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Delhi Capitals (DC). KL Rahul was roped in by DC for a sum of INR 14 Crore after being released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Soon after his signing, the reports were rife that the Indian keeper-batter will take over the reins at DC after earlier giving his services to LSG. Along with him, Axar Patel and Faf du Plessis have also been the top contenders to take the leadership role. However, there hasn’t been any official communication on the same, but sources close to the developments have informed IANS that KL Rahul has turned down the offer with Axar Patel set to lead.
Axar Patel likely to lead DC in IPL 2025
With KL Rahul’s decision, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel is the front-runner to take over the helm. If this comes true, it will not be the first time Axar Patel will be seen donning the captain’s hat as he has held the reins in Rishabh Pant’s absence. The source further told IANS, “Yes, Axar Patel is likely to be named as Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025. The franchise had asked for KL Rahul to be the team’s captain, but he very much wishes to contribute for the side as a player in the upcoming tournament.”
Gujarat all-rounder Axar Patel has been with DC since 2019, and was retained for a whopping INR 18 Crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. In his IPL career of 150 games, Axar has scored 1,653 runs at a strike rate of 130.88 while picking 123 wickets with his left-arm spin bowling at an economy rate of 7.28.
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