New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Axar Patel, who currently represents India across all three formats and captains Delhi Capitals in the IPL, has shared his thoughts on what makes a successful captain. Patel challenged the common perception that a captain must be fluent in English to lead effectively.

What Axar Patel Said

In an interview with The Indian Express, Patel stated:
“People often say, ‘He can’t speak English, how will he captain the team? How can he lead?’ But a captain’s job isn’t just to speak. It’s about understanding the players, bringing out their best, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, and figuring out how to get the best performance from them.”

He further added:
“The notion that a captain must have a certain personality or speak good English is a misconception. People need to change their mindset. Leadership is about strategy, understanding your team, and decision-making. Language should never be a barrier.”

Axar Patel’s Career Highlights

The 31-year-old made his international debut in 2014 and has since played 71 ODIs, 83 T20Is, and 14 Tests. He has taken 75 wickets and scored 858 runs in ODIs, 79 wickets and 637 runs in T20Is, and in Tests, he has 55 wickets and 646 runs. In the IPL, Patel has featured in 162 matches for Delhi Capitals, claiming 128 wickets and scoring 1916 runs since 2014.

Patel’s remarks highlight a progressive view of leadership in cricket, emphasizing skills, strategy, and player management over superficial markers like language fluency.