Delhi Capitals are facing a big headache ahead of the IPL 2027 mini auction as the franchise is yet to finalise its captain for the next season. Axar Patel, who is currently leading the Delhi Capitals team, is reportedly not keen to continue as captain after two disappointing seasons.

This has raised the DC team management’s tension, as it now needs to convince the Indian all-rounder to take up the responsibility again for the upcoming IPL 2027. Read Also: SRH and RCB set to retain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ahead of IPL 2027 Auction.

Delhi Capitals keen to continue with Axar Patel as captain despite his reluctance

As reported by the Times of India, Delhi Capitals are not ready to give up on Axar Patel as their captain, but convincing him will not be an easy task. The franchise has failed to reach the playoffs in the last two seasons. The Capitals came close to qualifying in the IPL 2025 season, but their 2026 campaign was disappointing as they finished sixth in the points table under Patel.

Axar Patel's individual performance was not that impressive either. The Indian all-rounder managed only 173 runs and picked up 11 wickets in 14 matches in the last season. Despite the star spinner’s reluctance, Delhi Capitals consider him a very important player and have already rejected several big-money trade offers for him ahead of the upcoming IPL 2027 mini auction.

Delhi Capitals yet to finalize captain as team management tries to convince Axar Patel

Even DC co-owner Parth Jindal has recently confirmed that Axar Patel “isn’t going anywhere” following the trade rumours. But captaincy is still a big concern for the franchise before the auction. Well, the DC team management is still trying to convince Axar to continue as captain.

However, the franchise has decided not to make a final call on its leadership until the auction is completed. Read Also: Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah? Mumbai Indians drops big hint on Hardik Pandya's successor.

A source close to the DC team management was quoted as saying, by the Times of India, "Axar is very reluctant to continue as captain." The management is trying to convince him. Axar is very important to the franchise. Capitals have turned down multiple lucrative trade offers this season. The management has held back finalising the captain till the auctions are done.”

Delhi Capitals revamp coaching staff

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have made several changes to their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2027. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has returned to the franchise as the head coach, while legendary all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been appointed as the assistant coach.

The Capitals have also roped in the Sri Lankan legend Chaminda Vaas as the fast-bowling coach, while Amit Mishra was brought back to the setup as the spin coach. The DC has made these changes after the franchise parted ways with Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao.

There are reports of differences between the Delhi Capitals team management and the leadership group during Badani and Rao's time with the franchise as the head coach and director of cricket, respectively. This could be one of the reasons behind Axar's decision not to continue with captaincy.