Mukesh Kumar Praises Axar Patel's Positive Captaincy Ahead of IPL 2026

Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar has commended teammate Axar Patel's positive and supportive approach to captaincy ahead of the new IPL season. Kumar highlighted Axar's calm demeanor and open communication style as key to fostering a good team environment. The bowler also discussed his own preparations, focusing on mastering crucial T20 variations like the yorker. Delhi Capitals will begin their campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1.

Key Points: Axar Patel's Captaincy Style Praised by Mukesh Kumar

  • Axar Patel praised for calm leadership
  • Mukesh Kumar working on T20 variations
  • Delhi Capitals' opening fixtures revealed
  • Focus on yorkers and wide yorkers
2 min read

"He is always positive": Mukesh Kumar on Axar Patel's captaincy

Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar highlights Axar Patel's positive and player-friendly leadership ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

"He is a very good person. He is always positive. - Mukesh Kumar"

New Delhi, March 25

India and Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar has lauded the leadership style of Axar Patel, highlighting the all-rounder's calm demeanour and positive mindset as key factors in fostering a supportive environment within the team.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Mukesh described Axar as a player-friendly captain who encourages open communication and backs his teammates to express themselves on the field.

"He is a very good person. He is always positive. I get to talk to him about field placement. He tells me to play freely," Mukesh Kumar said.

Mukesh Kumar has also revealed that he is actively working on expanding his bowling arsenal, with a focus on mastering key variations crucial for success in the T20 format.

Speaking about his preparations, Mukesh emphasised the importance of consistency with the length ball while also sharpening his ability to deliver yorkers and wide yorkers--skills considered vital in high-pressure situations.

"Obviously, I am working on everything, along with the length ball, which is required in a T20. And if there is a yorker or a wide yorker, it is optional for every bowler. So everything is being worked on," he said.

Delhi Capitals will begin their season campaign against Lucknow Super Giants on April 1.

Their next clash will be against the Mumbai Indians on April 4, followed by their matches against the Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings on April 8 and April 11, respectively.

Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026:

Nitish Rana, Abishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, Mitchell Starc, Sameer Rizvi, T Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Auqib Nabi, Pathum Nissanka, Lungi Ngidi, Sahil Parakh, Prithvi Shaw, Kyle Jamieson.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Interesting to see Axar as captain. He's always been a reliable player, but leading a big franchise is a different pressure. Mukesh's words show a lot of respect. Hope this translates into wins on the field.
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Vikram M
Positive mindset is good, but DC's squad looks a bit thin on paper compared to MI or CSK. Axar will need more than just positivity. They need their big buys like Starc to fire from day one. Tough group ahead.
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Priya S
Love this! So refreshing to hear about a captain who encourages players to talk freely about field placements. That's how you build trust. Wishing Axar bhai and the whole DC team all the luck for IPL 2026! 🏏
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Rohit P
Good to see Mukesh working on his variations. In T20, a one-dimensional pacer gets found out. Yorkers and wide yorkers are absolute gold in the death. If he masters that, he'll be a huge asset for India too.
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Karthik V
With all due respect to Axar's positivity, I'm a bit concerned. He's a quiet performer, not a natural vocal leader. Captaincy in IPL is a brutal job. I hope the management is giving him full support and not just handing him a tough job.
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Michael C

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