Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has reckoned that the all-rounder Axar Patel wouldn’t be the captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in the forthcoming IPL 2027 season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra asserted that with Rishabh Pant already part of the set-up, it would be a bit tough to have Axar Patel as the captain of the franchise. He further opened up on the team’s concerns before heading to the mini-auction.
“Now that they have gotten Pant. I don’t think Axar will be the captain. I don’t know who it will be if not him. They have a few issues to address. Starc may not come. Who will take his place? You have also given away Natarajan. Will Shai Hope come in for Nissanka? They have a few things to do,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
DC have made significant changes to their coaching setup ahead of the IPL 2027 season. Sourav Ganguly has taken over as head coach, while Yuvraj Singh was appointed assistant and batting coach on October 13. Former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas has also joined the franchise as its fast-bowling coach.
Chopra also weighed in on India all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s prolonged absence from professional cricket since the conclusion of IPL 2026. Reports suggest that Hardik could miss further international assignments as his comeback continues to be delayed by recurring injury concerns.
“Hardik Pandya’s injuries seem to be never-ending. When he is not there, the game changes, and you need to find different ways to run the game. They are trying to prepare Nitish. He is bowling also. The news regarding Hardik is that he may not play any competitive cricket till the IPL. That is a long time. He has not played since the last IPL. This is a tricky one. It will be massive if he is traded or goes into the market and then is not fully available or not in form, as he has not played at all,” he said.
