The anticipation surrounding the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is palpable, especially for fans of the Delhi Capitals, who have made waves with their latest team appointment. Faf du Plessis, the former captain of South Africa, will take on the role of vice-captain for IPL 2025, serving alongside Axar Patel, who has been named the captain. This strategic appointment was officially announced by the Delhi Capitals on March 17, 2025.
The decision to bring Faf du Plessis on board as vice-captain follows his acquisition by the Capitals during the mega auction earlier this year, where he was picked up for INR 2 crore. This came after his release from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he had enjoyed three successful seasons. Du Plessis expressed his excitement during the announcement, stating, "I’m at home, where else would I be? It’s true I’m the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals, and I’m absolutely thrilled about it. Delhi has been amazing, and the team is fantastic. I’m genuinely happy and feeling fully prepared." The announcement was accompanied by engaging visuals on social media, arousing enthusiasm among fans.
Axar Patel’s elevation to captaincy marks another significant change for the team. Retained for INR 18 crore, this appointment symbolizes the trust placed by the team's management and ownership on his leadership abilities. Patel articulates his dedication to the team, stating, "It’s a true honor to captain Delhi Capitals. I’m incredibly grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their trust in me. Over my time with the Capitals, I’ve grown both as a cricketer and as an individual, and I feel ready and confident to lead this team forward." Under Patel's guidance, the Capitals will aim to clinch their first IPL title, something they have yet to achieve amid challenging previous seasons.
The Delhi Capitals have made dynamic shifts not just at the captaincy but throughout their organizational structure as well. GMR has taken over management control of the team for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, which coincides with strategic changes to the coaching staff aimed at reshaping the team dynamics fully. Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as the mentor, enhancing the strategic depth of the coaching team, which includes Hemang Badani as head coach, Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket, and Munaf Patel as bowling coach.
This reinforcement will be pivotal as the team looks to integrate incoming talent and boost its performance following last season's sixth-place finish, with the team hoping to reflect on the lessons learned from the previous season's failure to reach the playoffs.
Key to the Capitals’ strategy is their retention of valuable players such as Kuldeep Yadav for INR 13.25 crore, Tristan Stubbs for INR 10 crore, and Abhishek Porel for INR 4 crore, maintaining core talent within the squad. The franchise also made notable acquisitions, adding heavyweight players like KL Rahul for INR 14 crore and Mitchell Starc for INR 11.75 crore. Both players are anticipated to bring vast experience and skill to the team, complementing the existing roster, which also includes the likes of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Karun Nair.
The IPL 2025 season is set to commence on March 22 with the opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, with the Delhi Capitals kicking off their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants on March 24 at Visakhapatnam. This year, excitement runs high as the Capitals aim to build upon their history as one of the original IPL franchises yet to win the coveted title, joining the ranks of Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
With Faf du Plessis stepping up as vice-captain and Axar Patel charged with leading the franchise, the Delhi Capitals have drawn renewed energy toward their pursuit of success. The restructuring of the management team, coupled with the strategic acquisition of new talents, reinforces the idea of building for the future. Cricket enthusiasts will be watching closely as this revamped team faces its challenges, hoping to finally secure their maiden title.
