Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants have already been eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoff race. While the other teams are still in contention, Delhi Capitals, who are placed seventh with 10 points from 12 matches, now have only a slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
Amid their disappointing season, a PTI report stated that the franchise could make major changes after the tournament. According to the report, Axar Patel is unlikely to remain captain next season, while changes in the coaching staff are also expected. Axar has not had a strong season as both captain and player.
He has scored 100 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 112.50. More than half of those runs came in one innings, while he managed only 44 runs in his other eight knocks despite batting mainly in the top five. With the ball, Axar has bowled 36 overs in 12 matches and taken 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08.
Although Axar’s economy rate looks decent, especially compared to the expensive outings of fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav, he has often not completed his full quota of overs.
JSW To Take Charge Of Delhi Capitals Operations Next Season
Delhi Capitals also follow a system where owners JSW and GMR handle cricket operations in alternate cycles. Next season, Parth Jindal and JSW are set to take charge of the team’s cricket operations.
“With Axar completely failing to prove his leadership worth and mostly being dependent on Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao for decision-making, it will be a miracle if he retains captaincy next year.”
“The entire coaching staff is also unlikely to be retained,” an IPL source monitoring the developments told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The team management’s decision to overlook an attacking batter like Abhishek Porel, not give enough opportunities to all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, and place young Sahil Parakh under pressure by expecting immediate big performances like Vaibhav Suryavanshi has attracted attention.
Parakh is considered a talented player, but he is still developing and needs more time. With the mega auction scheduled for 2027, Axar Patel could still be retained as a player, but his captaincy has not shown enough strong leadership so far.
As control of cricket operations shifts from GMR to JSW, Axar’s future as captain remains uncertain.
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