Axar Patel Likely To Lose Delhi Capitals Captaincy, Coaching Staff To Be Sacked: Report

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 13:49 IST

After a poor IPL 2026, Delhi Capitals could reportedly remove Axar Patel as captain besides revamping the backroom staff as well.

Delhi Capitals are unlikely to continue with Axar Patel as captain amid what is turning out to be a disappointing IPL season for the franchise, with both his leadership and on-field performances coming under scrutiny.

IPL 2026 | Schedule | Results | Orange Cap | Purple Cap

The 32-year-old has scored just 100 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 112.50. More than half of those runs (56) came in a single innings, while the remaining 44 were spread across eight knocks, despite him batting mostly in the top five. With the ball, Axar has bowled only 36 overs in 12 matches, averaging exactly three overs per game. He has taken 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08.

The left-arm spinner has often faced criticism for not bowling himself enough during the IPL 2026 with DC’s playoffs hopes hanging by a thread after managing just five victories from 12 games so far.

Change Of Management, Change of Personnel?

DC function under an equal ownership structure, with JSW and GMR alternating control of cricket operations in different cycles. Next season, Parth Jindal and JSW will take charge of cricket operations.

“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," news agency PTI quoted an IPL source as saying.

The coaching setup is also under pressure, with the Hemang Badani-led support staff expected to be overhauled. “The entire coaching staff is also unlikely to be retained," the source added.

Several selection and utilisation decisions have also come under the scanner, including the reluctance to fully back flamboyant batter Abhishek Porel, the inconsistent handling of all-rounder Madhav Tiwari.

With the next mega auction scheduled for 2027, Axar could still be retained as a player. However, there has been little evidence of proactive or dynamic leadership from him this season.

With control of cricket operations set to shift, Axar’s future as captain appears increasingly uncertain.

News cricket Axar Patel Likely To Lose Delhi Capitals Captaincy, Coaching Staff To Be Sacked: Report

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