India's spin-bowling all-rounder Axar Patel has been named Delhi Capitals captain ahead of the new Indian Premier League season, the team said on Friday.
The 31-year-old is the team's longest-serving player, having joined in 2019. He has scored 967 runs and picked up 62 wickets at an economy rate of 7.09 in 82 appearances with the Capitals.
Axar, who was named India's Twenty20 International vice-captain in January, takes the Delhi captaincy from Rishabh Pant after his move to Lucknow Super Giants.
"It is my absolute honour to captain the Delhi Capitals, and I'm deeply grateful to our owners and support staff for placing their faith in me," Axar said in a statement.
"I've grown as a cricketer and a human being during my time here at the Capitals, and I feel ready and confident to lead this side going forward."
Axar also played a key role in India's Champions Trophy win earlier this month, taking five wickets at a rate of 4.35 and making key contributions batting at number five.
The Capitals begin their IPL campaign in Visakhapatnam on March 24 against Lucknow.
George Russell showed he was the man to beat by setting the fastest time for Mercedes in final practice for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, with Formula One title rival and former teammate Lewis Hamilton second for home favourites Ferrari.
Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar has ended his season early to focus on recovery after last weekend's crash during Vuelta a Espana left him with injuries that required surgery, his team UAE Team Emirates-XRG said on Saturday.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz underlined his status as the man to beat at the US Open with a ruthless 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Wu Yibing on Friday as he reached the fourth round and continued his bid for a third title at Flushing Meadows.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a special meeting for the UAE youth handball team and its staff to honour them for qualifying for the 2027 IHF Men's Junior World Championship.
Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her imposing run at the US Open with a composed 6-3 6-4 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova in the third round on Friday, extending her bid for a fifth Grand Slam title.
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