Ravichandran Ashwin has added a fresh twist to Delhi Capitals’ (DC) captaincy conversation ahead of IPL 2027. He believes KL Rahul is the man to lead DC next season, as they aim to build a strong squad to challenge for the title.
Ashwin spoke right after Delhi completed one of the biggest trades in IPL history, with Rishabh Pant returning to the Capitals and Kuldeep Yadav moving to Lucknow Super Giants.
Ashwin’s Pick is Clear
Ashwin’s choice is not subtle. He believes KL Rahul should be handed the captaincy for IPL 2027, even with Pant back at the club. He also blasted Axar Patel’s captaincy of the franchise in 2026 as “very average,”:
“DC had a very ordinary 2026 season, where they made mistakes after mistakes. Yet, they still ended up in a decent place. There was no need for them to make any change. If you just picked the proper side and have KL Rahul captain, the side would have been in a good place next year because Axar Patel was very average as captain this year. I really don’t understand why they let go of Kuldeep Yadav,” the retired cricketer said via his YouTube channel.
Ravichandran Ashwin also believes DC were always keen on bringing Pant back to the franchise; however, his choice player may not have a greater chance at being captain over the returning wicketkeeper:
“DC went till 23 crores even in the auction where LSG signed Pant for 27 crores. So they were always keen on Rishabh Pant. He also captained DC before Axar Patel. The captaincy aspect would have stayed in Rishabh’s head. He would have known that he has a greater chance to captain if he goes to Delhi,” Ashwin added.
Why KL Rahul Fits the DC Captaincy Picture
Rahul is not an unfamiliar captain. He led the Lucknow Super Giants before Rishabh Pant replaced him there for the 2025 season, and he is one of Indian cricket’s more established franchise leaders. That background makes him a natural candidate in any IPL leadership debate, even with Pant returning.
KL Rahul displayed leadership prowess at IPL 2026
Rahul led the Delhi Capitals to a crucial victory with a 75 off 40 balls in IPL 2026 and was the tournament’s top run-scorer at that stage. Delhi’s chase of 226 against Rajasthan Royals was described as their highest successful chase of the season, and this came under Rahul’s influence at the top of the batting order.
He combines experience and performance, and this is exactly why Ashwin’s pick has gained traction. Rahul could be the captain who produces runs while reducing a layer of uncertainty within the squad.
Rishabh Pant’s Return Changes the Conversation
Pant’s history with Delhi is deep. He spent nine seasons with the franchise and served as captain for four of them before leaving for Lucknow. His return packs lots of emotions, but it does not automatically settle the leadership question in his favour.
What Delhi Capitals Did with Axar Patel
Delhi’s current leadership picture also matters here. Axar Patel was named Delhi Capitals captain ahead of the new IPL season, taking over from Pant after his now ill-fated move to Lucknow. Patel is also the team’s longest-serving player and brings all-round value to the side.
Ashwin publicly criticised Axar’s captaincy after Delhi’s defeat to Chennai Super Kings, saying the side had given away the game and questioning the decision-making on a rain-affected pitch. That criticism matters because it shows the captaincy debate is not simply about future planning; it is also about dissatisfaction with Patel’s recent output.
Why This Could Shape Delhi’s IPL 2027 Setup
The Pant-Kuldeep trade has already changed the squad balance, and Ashwin’s remarks add another layer to the shift. Delhi are now entering a phase in which batting order, wicketkeeping duties and captaincy may all be discussed together rather than separately.
Ravichandran Ashwin on Potential Trade Deal Between CSK and DC
There is also growing interest involving a potential trade between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC). Sources reveal that CSK seek DC’s Ashutosh Sharma, while the Delhi franchise may request Rahul Chahar’s services in return. Ashwin had this to say regarding the potential player swap: “There should be some logic and fairness in a trade proposal. I understand CSK wants Ashutosh Sharma. And sure, DC didn’t use him properly. Who are you giving back in the trade for Ashutosh Sharma? Someone you yourself didn’t play in the 11 in Rahul Chahar,” he said.
