Axar Patel to continue as Delhi Capitals captain in IPL 2027 despite Rishabh Pant trade with LSG

Rishabh Pant’s homecoming won’t result in a captaincy transition at the Delhi Capitals (DC). The wicketkeeper-batter made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Delhi in 2016, played 7 seasons for them, and captained from 2021 to 2024 before leaving to captain the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2025.

The Delhi leadership didn’t want Pant to leave. The 28-year-old shares a great relationship with co-owner Parth Jindal, who wrote a heartfelt message following his departure. That’s why, despite two mediocre seasons with LSG – 581 runs with a strike rate of 135.74 – Delhi agreed to take Pant back.

Axar Patel to remain Delhi Capitals captain

Yes, Pant took a pay cut, from INR 27 to 15 crore, but Delhi has welcomed him back with open arms. There was some belief that the keeper might be handed the captaincy, since Axar Patel hasn’t done great as skipper in the last two IPL seasons. However, that won’t be the case.

In a video, Axar and Delhi have welcomed Pant back. Basically, confirming to everyone that the former will continue to lead the side in the IPL 2027 season. Pant will return but as a middle-order batter and keeper.

“There’s never been any difference between us. When he was with the Delhi Capitals, he was my captain and led me. Even then, we worked with mutual understanding. Both of us realised that we were senior players,” Axar said.

For the last two seasons, Pant seemed burdened by the responsibility of leading LSG. That smile has been wiped off his face. He swore after a match and dropped hints about feeling the heat, something that never happened at DC. Axar wants that old Pant to return, enjoy himself, and let everything else fall in place.

“As a friend and captain, I’ll tell him that there’s no pressure on him from my side or the franchise. This (Delhi) is his home. He has played here for many years. As a captain, I’ll provide him full freedom. Just enjoy yourself and be true to your character. Remember that form is temporary; class is permanent. Just play your game and enjoy,” he added.

Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2027

Sahil Parakh, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (traded to Kuldeep Yadav), Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel (c), Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Jamieson, T Natarajan, Auqib Nabi Dar, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Tripurana Vijay, Abishek Porel (wk), Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prithvi Shaw, Pathum Nissanka, Rehan Ahmed, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Karun Nair

The post Axar Patel to continue as Delhi Capitals captain in IPL 2027 despite Rishabh Pant trade with LSG appeared first on Inside Sport India.