Follow UsFor the first time since 2016, the Delhi Capitals will be without their star player, Rishabh Pant, who made the big signing move to Lucknow Super Giants for INR 27 crores. Over the last few years, Pant has been not just one of Delhi’s crucial players but also their leader on the field.
But with no Pant on the side, Delhi Capitals named Axar Patel as their captain for the IPL 2025 season, ahead of KL Rahul, who was expected to take up leadership duties. Will Axar’s captaincy methods be very different to Pant’s? DC’s star batter, Abishek Porel, answers.
"Bapu (Axar) is dangerous for the opposition. The last 2 years, I have great memories and bonds with Axar. Rishabh and Axar's captaincy is similar. They are very funny," Porel told Sports Today.
Not just that, Porel also revealed that DC will miss Pant and insisted that he’s still a ‘match-winner’.
"I remember everything that Rishabh Pant has taught me. He is a match-winner. We will miss him. Cricket is a battle, we have to win," Porel added.
Last season, Porel was tasked to open the batting alongside Jake Fraser-McGurk, with the duo smashing several records opening the batting. However, with the influx of openers that DC have signed, there’s a question mark over where the Bengal batter will slot.
"Team management has not specifically told me about the role. I am ready to bat as an opener or at No. 3. Will play according to the team's demand," he added.
"I want to perform for the team. If I hit a hundred but the team loses, I will not be happy. If the team demands 20 off 10, I will do it. Team winning the match is most important for me," Porel said.
DC are one of the few franchises to have not won the IPL, alongside RCB, PBKS and LSG. But Porel reckons that the franchise will turn their fortunes around in IPL 2025.
"Delhi Capitals want to win the trophy. That is the mentality that the team has. We have a good team in IPL 2025. We want to play the final and win the trophy," he said.
DC kick-off their IPL 2025 campaign against LSG, on March 24 (Monday), in an interesting match-up, considering LSG’s skipper would be Pant.