Delhi Capitals (DC), formerly known as the Delhi Daredevils, have had a storied history in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with numerous captains leading the team over the years. From the inaugural season in 2008 to the present day, the franchise has seen a mix of Indian and international stars take on the leadership role.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the captains who have led Delhi Capitals in the IPL:
1. Virender Sehwag (2008-2012)
Virender Sehwag was the first captain of the Delhi franchise, leading the team from the inaugural season in 2008 until 2012. During his tenure, Sehwag captained in 52 matches, winning 28 and losing 24, with no ties. His win percentage of 53.84% remains the highest among all Delhi captains. Under Sehwag’s leadership, the team reached the semifinals in both 2008 and 2009.
2. Gautam Gambhir (2010)
Gautam Gambhir took over the captaincy for a brief period in 2010, leading the team in 25 matches. He won 12 and lost 13, with a win percentage of 48%. Although Gambhir is more famously associated with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he led the team to two IPL titles, his stint with Delhi was notable for his batting prowess.
3. James Hopes (2011)
James Hopes, an Australian all-rounder, captained Delhi for three matches in 2011 but failed to secure a win, losing two games. His brief stint was marked by the team’s overall struggles during that season.
4. Mahela Jayawardene (2012-2013)
Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan legend, took over the captaincy for 18 matches between 2012 and 2013. He won six games, lost 11, and drew one, with a win percentage of 33.3%. Jayawardene’s leadership was marked by his strategic acumen and batting prowess, although the team’s performance was inconsistent during his tenure.
5. Ross Taylor (2012)
Ross Taylor, the New Zealand batsman, led Delhi for two matches in 2012 but did not achieve a win, losing one game. His brief captaincy stint was part of a transitional phase for the team.
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6. Kevin Pietersen (2014)
Kevin Pietersen, the former England captain, led Delhi for 11 matches in 2014. However, his tenure was marked by significant struggles, with only one win and ten losses. Despite his international success, Pietersen’s IPL captaincy stint was not successful.
7. Dinesh Karthik (2014)
Dinesh Karthik was given the captaincy for six matches in 2014. However, his tenure was marked by limited success, with only two wins and four losses. Karthik is known for his wicket-keeping skills and has played for several franchises in the IPL, including KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
8. JP Duminy (2015)
JP Duminy, the South African all-rounder, captained Delhi for 16 matches in 2015. He won six games and lost nine, with a win percentage of 37.5%. Duminy’s leadership was notable for his ability to perform under pressure.
9. Zaheer Khan (2016-2017)
Zaheer Khan, the Indian fast bowler, took over the captaincy for 23 matches between 2016 and 2017. He won ten games and lost 13, with a win percentage of 43.5%. Khan’s leadership was marked by his experience and strategic bowling changes.
10. Karun Nair (2017)
Karun Nair led Delhi for three matches in 2017, winning two and losing one. His brief stint was part of a season where the team struggled to find consistency.
11. Shreyas Iyer (2018-2021)
Shreyas Iyer captained Delhi for 41 matches between 2018 and 2021. He won 21 games, lost 18 and drew two, with a win percentage of 51.2%. Iyer’s leadership was instrumental in transforming the team into a competitive force, leading them to the finals in 2020.
12. Rishabh Pant (2021-2024)
Rishabh Pant took over the captaincy from Shreyas Iyer in 2021 and led the team for 30 matches until 2023. He won 16 games, lost 13 and drew one, with a win percentage of 53.33%. Pant’s aggressive style and batting prowess made him a popular leader, although he faced challenges due to injuries and team dynamics.
13. David Warner (2023)
David Warner captained the Delhi Capitals in the 2023 season after Rishabh Pant was unable to lead due to injury. Warner is a prolific batsman and has led teams like Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the past. Notably, he achieved 3000 runs as an IPL captain during his tenure with Delhi.
14. Axar Patel (2025)
Axar Patel has been announced as the captain for the IPL 2025 season, marking a new chapter for Delhi Capitals. Patel, known for his all-round skills, will aim to lead the team to their first IPL title. He previously led the team for one match in 2024 when Pant was suspended.
The Capitals are yet to win a title, despite reaching the finals in 2020 under Iyer’s leadership. With Patel at the helm, the team looks forward to a successful IPL 2025 season, backed by a balanced squad and strong fan support.
