IPL 2025: Axar Patel Misses Another Game, Faf du Plessis Leading Delhi Capitals Again

Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel is missing his team's last game of IPL 2025, against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Faf du Plessis, Axar's deputy, is leading DC for the second time in the season. He took over as the vice-captain before the start of the season. The IPL veteran wasn't asked about Axar at the toss.

Before the previous game, du Plessis revealed that Axar was sick. It looks like he isn't fit to play yet. du Plessis won the toss and opted to bowl first in the fixture.

"We will have a bowl. I think today it is 50-50. Just the make up of the side. We are playing an extra batter. It helps while chasing. It has been very frustrating. We started well. Then went on a roller coaster. We have played enough T20 cricket to understand. We played well in the last game for the first 17 overs. Then lost focus. We are playing for the fifth spot. We had our goals to get into top four," he said at the toss.

With only 6 wins from 13 matches, DC are at the fifth spot in the IPL 2025 points table and have crashed out of the league stage. They were at the top spot at one stage in the league.

Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS have 8 wins from 12 matches and they are at the second spot in the points table. A win over DC will see them move to the top spot.

"Defintely happy faces. I am not satisfied and content. We want to build momentum from here. Each and every individual is performing for the team. Job half done as of now. Important to stay in the present and seize every possible chance. Inglis and Stoinis come back into the side," Iyer said at the toss.

Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis(Captain), Sediqullah Atal, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer (Captain), Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh