IPL 2023: “Would Not Have Accepted It”- Axar Patel On Delhi Capitals’ Captain Role

Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder Axar Patel has been their standout performer in IPL 2023. Axar Patel recently spoke about DC’s leadership role and stated that he would have rejected captaincy, if handed midway through the season by the franchise owners.

Delhi Capitals had a terrible outing in IPL 2023 and have been eliminated from the tournament. They are currently at the 9th position in the points table with 10 points in 14 matches, including 5 wins and 9 defeats. The DC franchise missed the services of their regular skipper Rishabh Pant after he met with a freak car accident in December 2022.

David Warner was appointed as their skipper for the ongoing season. However, nothing went according to their plans and Warner received criticism over his leadership. Many cricket fans and experts felt that Axar Patel should have been given the captaincy midway through the IPL 2023.

It doesn’t send a good message if you change captaincy midway: Axar Patel

“When your team is going through such a bad season, these kinds of things make it worse. You need to back your players, your captain and if you will change captaincy in middle of the season it doesn’t send a good message,” Axar Patel said while speaking to The Indian Express.

“Things could have remained the same even if I was the captain. We failed collectively as a team, and you can’t blame the captain. I never had a chat about captaincy, but if I became a captain, then I would not take responsibility in the middle of a season. I don’t want to ruin the atmosphere of the dressing room,” the DC allrounder further added.

The Delhi Capitals’ all-rounder has been in sublime form right from the beginning of IPL 2023 and has been one of their better performers this year. He remained the second-highest run-scorer for DC with 268 runs in 14 matches, at an average of 29.78 and a strike rate of 137.43.

David Warner was the highest run-scorer for Delhi Capitals’ in IPL 2023 with 430 runs in 14 games but was criticised for his lack of intent. Meanwhile, Axar Patel also scalped 12 wickets in 9 matches, and has also grabbed a four-wicket haul this season.