Sports
IPL 2025: Faf du Plessis Teams Up with Axar Patel as Delhi Capitals Vice-Captain
In a major development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, South African cricketer Faf du Plessis has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Delhi Capitals, joining forces with captain Axar Patel. This strategic move aims to strengthen the team’s leadership and boost their chances of clinching the IPL title. Here’s a detailed look at the announcement, its implications, and what it means for the Delhi Capitals.
Pick up your phones, it’s your vice-captain calling 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/W3AkYO4QKZ
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 17, 2025
Faf du Plessis: The Veteran Anchor
Faf’s no stranger to the IPL grind, and he’s bringing that heft to DC.
- Track Record: Over 4,500 runs in 145 IPL games—think clutch knocks like his 96 in the 2021 CSK final. The guy’s a pressure cooker pro.
- Captain’s Hat: Led Royal Challengers Bangalore to playoffs in 2022 and 2024, plus skippered CSK when Dhoni stepped back—Faf’s got the playbook down.
- Right-Hand Man: As Axar’s deputy, he’ll call shots, steady nerves, and school the young guns—DC’s betting on his gray hair for gold.
Axar Patel: The New Boss
Axar’s stepping into the hot seat, and he’s got the chops.
- All-Round Edge: T20 World Cup 2024 hero—11 wickets, 144 runs at 151.57—and a Champions Trophy 2025 gem (18 off 18 in the final). He’s clutch with bat and ball.
- Cool Customer: Known for keeping it chill—Tristan Stubbs told NDTV yesterday, “His calmness is unreal.” Perfect for captaincy chaos.
- Faf Factor: With Faf by his side, Axar’s got a seasoned wingman to lean on—think less rookie jitters, more winning swagger.
DC’s Game Plan
This duo’s no accident—it’s DC’s blueprint to climb the IPL ladder.
- Old Meets New: Faf’s 40-year-old smarts plus Axar’s fresh legs—add KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, and it’s a mix that screams balance.
- Title Hunger: DC’s never won it—sixth last year, out in 2020’s final. This leadership tweak’s their shot at breaking the curse.
- Fan Buzz: X’s humming—“Faf and Axar? DC’s cooking something big”—and the faithful are all in for the ride.
What It Means for the Squad
This pairing’s set to ripple through:
- Smarter Calls: Faf’s been there, Axar’s learning fast—decisions on tosses, reviews, and chases just got sharper.
- Kid Boost: Youngsters like Jake Fraser-McGurk get a mentor in Faf—Stubbs said yesterday he’s already picking his brain.
- Vibe Lift: After Pant’s exit and a coaching overhaul (Hemang Badani’s in, Ponting’s out), this duo’s a morale shot—X posts are calling it “new era vibes.”
What’s Coming?
With IPL 2025 tipping off March 22—DC vs. Lucknow in Vizag—the clock’s ticking.
- Prep Mode: Faf’s hitting nets in Delhi this week (per Kushan Sarkar on X), while the big guns join in Andhra Pradesh—practice is go.
- Fan Fever: DC’s X drop—“Pick up your phones, it’s your vice-captain calling”—has likes soaring. More hype’s inbound.
- The Prize: Axar’s debut as captain, Faf opening with Fraser-McGurk—DC’s gunning for that trophy, no less.
The Wrap-Up
Faf du Plessis linking arms with Axar Patel is Delhi Capitals’ bold roll of the dice for IPL 2025. Faf’s old-school grit and Axar’s new-age cool could be the spark DC’s been missing. As camp kicks in and fans chant, this leadership combo’s got one job: turn promise into silverware.
