Published on: May 14, 2026 5:14 pm IST|Updated on: May 14, 2026 5:14 pm IST
The Delhi Capitals ownership group is reportedly considering releasing Axar Patel from captaincy duties and Hemang Badani’s coaching staff after the conclusion of the Tata IPL 2026. The ownership group is expected to embark on a new path in IPL 2027, but with a different leader and coaching staff. The franchise is expected to seek a “leader for the future” to stabilize a team that has consistently struggled to reach the knockout stages.
The scrutiny on Axar Patel’s role intensified following a crushing defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which left Delhi on the brink of elimination. Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh voiced the frustrations of many fans and experts in a strongly worded post on X, stating:
“Axar Patel as a captain doesn’t inspire too much confidence. His tactics, on most of the occasions have often been questionable and inexplicable. High time the Delhi capitals set their house in order, with a leader for the future #IPL2026“.
Ganesh’s critique followed a match where DC managed only 142/8, a target KKR chased down in just 14.2 overs. The “uninspiring” tag has since become a central theme in discussions regarding the franchise’s direction for 2027.
Despite winning their last game against the Punjab Kings in Dharamsala, where Axar finally got going with the bat, a recent PTI report suggested that the Capitals are looking to look beyond Axar and Badani as a captain and coach duo.
“With Axar completely failing to prove his leadership worth and mostly being dependent on Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao for decision-making, it will be a miracle if he retains captaincy next year,” an IPL source quoted by PTI. “The entire coaching staff is also unlikely to be retained.”
Beyond tactical criticism, Axar’s personal form has hit a significant low. For much of the 2026 season, he has struggled to replicate his previous all-round dominance:
Take a look at Axar Patel’s performance so far this season.
While he did show a glimpse of his potential with a match-winning 56 off 30 balls against PBKS, experts have questioned his on-field decisions, such as not bowling himself for a single over during that same game and bowling a non-regular bowler like Nitish Rana his full quota of overs against Sunrisers in Hyderabad, where Abhishek Sharma blasted a ton.
With the Delhi Capitals likely missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year under his leadership and an overall fifth year in a row, the franchise is expected to “set their house in order” during the next mega-auction cycle. Sources suggest that the team management is looking for a more assertive tactical head to lead the squad in 2027.
In the current squad, KL Rahul is the vice-captain of the side and could be given the captaincy role in the 2027 season. KL isn’t new to captaincy, as he has led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in the past. He is a proven leader and was even the preferred choice to lead the team when he was picked up by DC at the 2024 mega-auctions. However, KL himself rejected the idea, and then Axar was appointed DC’s skipper.
Another option in the current squad is the young South African batter, Tristan Stubbs. The 25-year-old led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a title victory earlier this year in SA20 and knows what leadership brings to the table. He has been a cornerstone for the Capitals for 5 years now and has been very passionate about the franchise. With DC management eyeing a leader for the future, Stubbs could be ticking all the boxes to wear the captaincy armband for the Capitals next season.
Tags: IPL 2026