Rishabh Pant set to step down as Delhi Capitals captain? Know more

Delhi Capitals has made a significant change to their support staff following the departure of Ricky Ponting as head coach. However, the most surprising update concerns their current skipper, Rishabh Pant. Pant, who took over the Delhi captaincy in 2021, is likely to step down from his leadership role within the squad. Reports further suggest that the franchise has chosen all-rounder Axar Patel to replace Pant as captain. This development is apparently driven by Pant's desire to fully focus on improving his batting form. Despite this shift, Delhi Capitals is expected to retain Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav as their top picks ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Axar Patel likely to replace Rishabh Pant as the captain of Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2025

As per the latest developments emerging from the Delhi Capitals camp, Indian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant is expected to step down from his role as captain for the IPL 2025 season. Pant, who took on the captaincy in 2021, is still considered a key player and a retention priority for the franchise. The swashbuckling player had to miss IPL 2023 due to the injuries incurred during an unfortunate car accident. Australian batter David Warner filled in for Pant in the season before the wicket-keeper returned to the squad in IPL 2024.

However, now, the sources have suggested that Pant may no longer hold the leadership position, with India all-rounder Axar Patel emerging as a strong candidate to take over the captaincy. The decision is likely based on Pant’s goal to focus on his playing form. Although no official decision has been made regarding Axar, the franchise is also reportedly keeping an eye on potential captaincy candidates in the upcoming auction.

Hemang Badani announced as the head coach of Delhi Capitals

In addition to these leadership changes, former India batter Hemang Badani has been appointed as the new head coach of Delhi Capitals. The former Indian cricketer succeeds Ricky Ponting, who parted ways with the team after a successful seven-year tenure. Moreover, Venugopal Rao, another former Indian cricketer, has been named as the franchise's new director of cricket, filling a role previously held by Sourav Ganguly.

These appointments are part of a major overhaul of the coaching staff and management structure by the DC ownership. The shuffle stems from the fact that Delhi has been kept devoid of the IPL trophy so far in the tournament’s run. The changes include the departure of Pravin Amre, who served as assistant coach and talent scout since 2014.

As part of a strategic restructuring, co-owners GMR Group and JSW Sports will alternate their operational leadership roles between the IPL and WPL every two years. For the next two seasons, GMR will oversee the men's IPL team, while JSW will manage the women’s team for 2025 and 2026. Sourav Ganguly will step in as director of cricket for the WPL, before returning to his IPL role in 2027 when JSW resumes control.In a media statement on Thursday, the franchise emphasized that all major decisions including auctions, player retention, and captaincy will be jointly made by the senior leadership of both groups in consultation with the board of Delhi Capitals.