![Ravi Ashwin on KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant debate [Source: AFP, x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794289924782_Delhi_Capitals.jpg?type=hq)
Ravi Ashwin on KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant debate [Source: AFP, x]
Axar Patel will likely be traded off by the Delhi Capitals franchise for the IPL 2027 season. As per reports, the senior Indian all-rounder is on track to join the CSK group before the trading window concludes this month.
In such a case, the Capitals franchise will be left without a captain, leaving them to choose a skipper between KL Rahul and former captain and comeback man, Rishabh Pant.
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin recently weighed in on the captaincy situation at Delhi Capitals, offering his perspective on whether Rahul or Pant would be the better choice to lead the franchise.
KL Rahul a better option to lead Delhi Capitals, says Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin believes that KL Rahul is a better option to lead the Delhi Capitals going forward, if regular skipper Axar Patel gets traded off to the CSK or some other franchise before the IPL 2027 auction.
The legendary all-rounder also wants Rishabh Pant to play freely as a player and be fully devoid of any captaincy burden. Ashwin believes that the new Delhi Capitals coach Sourav Ganguly is someone who can motivate Pant to play his natural attacking cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “It might be possible. It can happen. KL Rahul is a good and experienced option. Pant needs to play freely. If someone can convince him not to take captaincy and play freely as a player, it is Dada (Sourav Ganguly). No one else can. It may not be a bad call.”
KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant: Who is better to lead Delhi Capitals?
Both KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant hold an extensive IPL captaincy profile. The two senior wicketkeeper-batters have previously led two franchises each, with Rahul leading the Punjab Kings and the LSG in 64 matches between the years 2020 and 2024.
Notably, Pant has previously led the Delhi Capitals and guided them to 23 wins in 43 matches before he joined LSG for a two-year unsuccessful captaincy stint.
Even though Rishabh Pant has captained the Capitals before, KL Rahul is more accustomed to the new group as he has been part of the franchise since IPL 2025. Pant, meanwhile, will be joining the Delhi Capitals for IPL 2027 after a gap of three years, considering the blistering stumper was recently traded off by the LSG in exchange of Kuldeep Yadav.
While Pant's previous stint as captain gives him an edge in terms of familiarity with the leadership role, Rahul's recent association with the Capitals and greater experience with the current setup could make him a more suitable candidate.
In any case, it remains to be seen who Delhi Capitals eventually back as their captain for IPL 2027, should Axar Patel depart the franchise.
