Axar Patel : Ahead of the Delhi Capitals’ (DC) IPL 2025 season opener against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), captain Axar Patel indicated he was unsure whether KL Rahul would play in Monday’s game at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium owing to personal issues. Rahul joined the DC squad in preparation for their first game in Visakhapatnam, however he may or may not be available for the game against LSG, a team he previously led, due to personal issues. It should be noted that Rahul is expecting his first kid with his wife, Athiya Shetty.
Axar Patel said press conference on Sunday
“Clearly, he joined the squad, and we are all aware of his personal problems. So we’re not sure yet. So, if he returns, we’ll ask him if he’s okay and notify you tomorrow morning. I believe we need to know, and therefore we don’t know if he’s available or not,” Axar said at the pre-match press conference on Sunday.
Axar Patel will captain DC for the first time in an IPL season
Axar, the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, will captain DC for the first time in an IPL season, and he expressed confidence that the team will win the championship. “I’ve been with this franchise since 2019, and it’s helped me grow as a cricketer tremendously. “Being given the captaincy is a wonderful honour for me.”
“We have numerous leaders on the squad, and I continue to learn from their experiences. It’s reassuring to have such experienced players as KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis by my side. I feel we have a well-balanced team this season, and I am certain that we will turn things around and achieve our goals.”
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When asked about his vision as DC’s captain, Axar emphasised the necessity of keeping things simple. “At the end of the day, I don’t want to make things too complicated. As captain, I have informed the team that cricket is only a game, so keep things simple. If you execute well, everything will fall into place. I’m not expecting them to seek specific results; instead, I want them to focus on keeping things simple. That will be my strategy throughout the tournament.”
“All of the players are excited to do something exceptional for this franchise. With a new squad and a new captain, we haven’t played much together yet, but our philosophy is clear: go out there, express ourselves, and play boldly. Everyone is dedicated to providing their all, and the players appreciate the atmosphere within the DC family.”
DC also has a new coaching staff, and head coach Hemang Badani was pleased with the new rules, which included the use of saliva for bowlers and the ability to replace the ball after the 11th over in chases in evening matches.
“For me, cricket has always been about the war between bat and ball, but in recent years, the balance has shifted drastically in favour of hitters. I believe that lifting the saliva ban simply provides something for the bowlers. Even if the ball deviates slightly, it makes the difference between hitting the middle of the bat and the inside of the bat.”
“Even with the new regulation that allows a ball change between overs 11 and 20, the fielding side has a chance to stay in the game in the second innings. “I am all in for the change, and I believe it is a good change,” he stated.
DC played two IPL games last year, both of which ended in run-fests. Axar expects the same thing to happen this year as well. “Vizag’s pitch is excellent. Last season, we played two matches here, and KKR scored between 250 and 260. It has always been a high-scoring stadium, with plenty of fireworks from the hitters.
“However, we are prepared with our ideas and will concentrate on executing them properly to keep the opposition to a low total. The pitch certainly favour batters, but each game is a learning experience.”
When asked about the match’s starting batting lineup, with vice-captain Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk leading the way, Badani concluded, “(It’s a) Suspense! You will have to wait and observe. We will notify you on the pitch tomorrow.”
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