Will Axar Patel play Delhi Capitals' next IPL match?

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has given an important update on his hand injury sustained during the team’s 14-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025 clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The left-arm all-rounder suffered a painful injury while diving to save a boundary in the 18th over of the first innings, which led to the skin on his palm getting peeled off due to the friction on the practice wicket.

Axar immediately walked off the field with visible discomfort, forcing vice-captain Faf du Plessis to take over captaincy duties for the remainder of KKR’s innings. However, despite the injury, Axar later returned to bat and delivered a gutsy 43 off 23 balls, playing a key role in Delhi’s fightback. His performance—while clearly in pain—won praise for its sheer grit and leadership under pressure.

After the match, Axar offered a crucial update on his condition:

“I dragged my palm across the wicket so my skin peeled off. Whenever I tried to hit the ball and the handle brushed [the hand], I felt a lot of pain. But the good thing is we have a three-four day break. Hopefully, it gets alright by then.”

The update comes at a critical time for Delhi, who face a must-win match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a few days. Axar’s availability is not just about captaincy—it’s about the balance he brings to the team.

He is DC’s most dependable spinner on slower pitches, a dynamic finisher in the lower order, and arguably one of the best fielders in the league. His presence impacts all three departments of the game.

With Delhi’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Axar’s recovery could well determine the course of their season. All eyes will now be on his fitness—and on whether DC’s all-round backbone can bounce back in time.