At 32, the India allrounder enters his eighth season with Delhi Capitals as arguably the most complete version of himself — confident, composed, and carrying the authority of recent global success. For a franchise still chasing its first IPL title, that evolution could not be more timely.
Axar returns to the IPL on the back of a T20 World Cup triumph, where India defended their title with a final win over New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad. His tournament figures — 11 wickets at 18.63 — underline his consistency, but they only tell part of the story. What stood out more was his influence in decisive moments.
Nowhere was that clearer than in the semi-final against England in Mumbai. In a match defined by fine margins, Axar produced two extraordinary pieces of fielding that shifted momentum India’s way.
First came a tumbling, over-the-shoulder catch to dismiss England captain Harry Brook, sprinting backward from the 30-yard circle and holding his nerve under pressure. Later, he played a central role in a stunning boundary effort that led to the wicket of Will Jacks — a full-stretch dive to prevent a certain six that ultimately proved decisive in India’s seven-run victory.
Moments like these do more than win matches; they reshape reputations. Axar, long seen as a dependable allrounder, emerged from the tournament as a cricketer who can dictate outcomes on the biggest stage.
He carried that impact into the final as well, claiming three wickets against New Zealand’s top order. By the end of the campaign, one thing was clear: Axar is no longer operating in the margins. He is central to success.
That shift in stature will be crucial for Delhi Capitals this season.
The absence of Mitchell Starc leaves a significant gap in their bowling attack, placing added responsibility on Axar not just as a performer, but as a tactician. Like many IPL sides dealing with injuries and availability concerns, Delhi will rely heavily on how effectively their captain manages limited resources.
Axar’s own journey with the franchise reflects steady growth. Since joining in 2019, when the team was still known as Delhi Daredevils, he has evolved from a utility allrounder into a leadership figure — first as vice-captain and now as the man in charge.
Speaking to this writer recently about his evolution, Axar pointed to adaptability as a defining factor. The demands of modern T20 cricket, with its relentless tactical shifts and skill innovations, have pushed him to constantly refine his game. Just as importantly, he emphasised the mental side of his development — clarity, composure, and decision-making under pressure.
For a team that has repeatedly flirted with playoff qualification without going all the way, those qualities could prove decisive. Execution will matter, but so will leadership in key moments — something Delhi have occasionally lacked in crunch situations.
Even Ravichandran Ashwin, a former team-mate, has highlighted Axar’s growing confidence, suggesting this could be a defining season in his career. It is an assessment rooted not just in numbers, but in presence — the sense that Axar now understands his own impact on a game.
Ultimately, the Capitals’ fortunes will depend on more than just Axar’s all-round contributions. His runs, wickets and fielding will be vital, but the bigger test lies in his captaincy — his tactical instincts, his reading of situations, and his ability to guide a squad through high-pressure moments.
Having already proven himself on the world stage, Axar now returns to the IPL with renewed authority. The question is no longer whether he belongs at this level. It is whether this is the season he leads the Capitals to heights they have never reached before.
