Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has assured fans of a fearless brand of cricket in IPL 2026 while taking a strong stand against the Impact Player rule. Speaking at the pre-season press conference in Mumbai on Monday, the India T20 vice-captain said the rule reduces the value of all-rounders in the game.
DC, the nearly there team of the IPL, are still chasing their maiden title and will look to change that narrative when they face Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 in Lucknow.
Why Does Axar Patel Oppose the Impact Player Rule
Axar did not hold back when asked about the controversial substitution rule. He admitted he does not like it because it directly affects all-rounders like him. Teams now prefer picking a specialist batter or bowler as the Impact Player instead of relying on multi-skilled cricketers.
Axar is not alone in his criticism. Rohit Sharma previously said the rule hampers all-rounder development. Hardik Pandya also pointed out that it makes team selection tougher for players who contribute in both departments. The growing consensus among top Indian stars signals deeper concerns about how the rule could weaken India’s all-rounder pipeline over time.
However, Axar accepted the reality of the situation. He stressed that teams must follow the rules and adapt their strategies accordingly.
Axar’s Leadership Mantra for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026
Entering his second season as captain, Axar outlined a clear approach for the franchise. He wants a calm yet aggressive and fearless culture within the squad. When asked about DC’s history of near misses, he refused to dwell on past failures.
DC finished fifth last season with seven wins and became the last team eliminated from the league stage. Axar said he never raises the topic of close losses with the squad. He wants to keep the environment positive and focus only on areas the team needs to improve.
Mitchell Starc’s Arrival Still Uncertain for DC
Head coach Hemang Badani confirmed that Australian pacer Mitchell Starc has not yet received his NOC from Cricket Australia. The franchise awaits clearance before confirming his arrival date. Starc’s delayed availability adds to DC’s early-season challenges alongside finalising their opening combination with KL Rahul confirmed at the top.
DC has the backing of a strong coaching setup, including Badani as head coach, Venugopal Rao as Director of Cricket, and Matthew Mott as assistant coach. Axar’s seven seasons with the franchise bring valuable continuity to a team that has seen frequent leadership changes in recent years.
