Axar Patel outlines Delhi Capitals' strategy for IPL 2025 season
What's the story
Axar Patel, the newly appointed captain of Delhi Capitals (DC), has shared his vision for the team's approach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
"We will keep things simple," he stated.
The DC's campaign kicks off on March 24 against Rishabh Pant's Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at Visakhapatnam's Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
New leadership
Axar Patel steps into captaincy role
Patel's promotion to captaincy follows Pant's move to LSG for ₹27 crore ahead of IPL 2025.
Although Patel only captained DC in one match last season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he is optimistic about his new position.
"When I had been announced as the captain I was really confident about the job," he said, noting his long association with DC since 2019.
Team vision
Patel aims for team growth in IPL 2025
As DC look for an IPL title, having reached the final in 2020 only to lose to Mumbai Indians (MI), Patel stresses on team growth.
"For the last 17 years, we have been fighting for the title. But we don't care about the results but whatever is in our hands we will follow that," he said.
Game approach
Patel's strategy: Simplicity in a batsman's game
Patel understands that cricket is evolving, especially in the IPL.
"Nowadays cricket has changed, IPL is more about a batsman game, fours and sixes, but we have to evolve as a team," he said.
His message to his teammates is a reflection of this evolution: "As a captain my message to my teammates is to keep it simple and that's my strategy."