Delhi Capitals are heading for a major overhaul at the end of IPL 2026. The franchise will be getting rid of all its coaching staff, and Axar Patel is not expected to be the captain next season, according to a PTI report. The current combination looks like it’s on the verge of being written off, as DC sits with 10 points from 12 games.
Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants are two teams that have already been ruled out of the playoffs this season. Delhi Capitals, who are still mathematically alive, have just a small chance to survive.
Axar Patel’s Captaincy Under Fire
Axar Patel‘s performance as captain has drawn sharp criticism. In nine innings this season, he scored just 100 runs at a strike rate of 112.50. Notably, 56 of those runs came in a single innings, meaning he averaged just over five runs across the remaining eight knocks — poor returns for a batter who has largely been used in the top five.
With the ball, Axar bowled 36 overs across 12 matches — exactly three overs per game — taking 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08. While the economy rate appears acceptable on the surface, critics have pointed out that he consistently under-bowled himself in situations where more overs were needed.
An IPL source speaking to PTI on condition of anonymity put it plainly: “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.”
Tactical Decisions That Cost Delhi Dearly
Beyond Axar’s personal numbers, Delhi’s team management has come under fire for a series of questionable calls throughout the campaign. The decision to sideline flamboyant batter Abhishek Porel raised eyebrows, as did the inconsistent use of all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, who never got a proper run in the playing XI.
The franchise also came under scrutiny for handing youngster Sahil Parakh high-pressure situations too early. The comparison drawn to Vaibhav Suryavanshi — a teenager who took the IPL by storm — was seen as an unfair burden to place on a player still finding his feet at this level. Parakh has undeniable talent, but he remains a work in progress.
These decisions, taken collectively, point to a coaching group that struggled with long-term planning and in-game management.
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JSW Takeover Could Accelerate the Changes
Delhi Capitals have a unique ownership model. Co-owners JSW and GMR alternate management responsibilities in cycles. Next season, Parth Jindal and JSW will take charge of cricket operations — a transition that is expected to accelerate the overhaul already in motion.
With the power shift imminent, there is little reason for the incoming management to hold on to a coaching staff associated with one of DC’s worst campaigns in recent memory. Axar could still be retained as a player heading into the 2027 mega auction, but his future as captain looks increasingly uncertain.
Other captains are said to be under the scanner as well, beyond Delhi. This season, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant have also been called into question for their leadership, and there could be several changes in the franchise before IPL 2027.
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