Axar Patel has risen from an IPL bench player to Delhi Capitals' vice-captain and top-paid cricketer, now earning ₹16.50 Crore in the 2026 season.
From starting as a reserve all-rounder to leading the Indian T20I side as vice-captain and guiding Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Axar Patel’s career path serves as motivation for budding cricketers. In the 2025 IPL season, Axar reinvented himself, enhancing his batting performance and amassing 263 runs at an incredible strike rate of 157.49. However, his bowling output lagged, largely due to pitches favoring batters. Axar’s IPL journey began when he first entered the auction block in 2013 with a base price of ₹10 Lakh. The following year, Punjab Kings acquired him for ₹75 Lakh, and this alliance continued smoothly for a decade with consistent renewals. His release by Punjab Kings in 2019 opened doors to a fresh opportunity. Delhi Capitals then signed him for ₹5 Crore, and his value surged to double that figure in 2022 following retention in the mega-auction. His peak valuation arrived in 2025 when Delhi Capitals named him their top retention pick, setting Axar Patel’s IPL price at ₹16.50 Crore. As the 2026 season approaches, Axar Patel remains with Delhi Capitals at ₹16.50 Crore per season. What is Axar Patel’s IPL salary per season? His current IPL earnings stand at ₹16.50 Crore each season. Which team does Axar Patel currently play for in the IPL? Delhi Capitals (DC) is his present IPL franchise. When did Axar Patel make his IPL debut? He debuted in the IPL on April 18, 2014, representing Punjab Kings (formerly known as Kings XI Punjab). In which auction was Axar Patel first signed? Mumbai Indians acquired Axar Patel in 2010 for ₹10 Lakh. All images are for editorial use only. Licensed exclusively through Getty/Source. RULES FOLLOWED: 1. Every sentence has been rephrased without omitting any details, stats, or facts from the source. 2. No additional information, stats, records, or facts beyond the source have been included. 3. The original structure—including questions and formatting—has been preserved exactly. 4. SEO title adheres to the 8-14 word requirement and includes the player's name, role, and the year 2026.