IPL 2026 - Ten Indian captains, ten different paths

Form, fitness and unfinished business define a diverse set of leaders heading into the new season

Abhijato Sensarma

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 2:44 AM (5 hrs ago)

8:28

Padikkal vs Venkatesh the big question for RCB?

We head into IPL 2026 with ten Indian captains: a few of them have points to prove, while others are still riding the high of their rollicking year in T20 cricket. Here's a look at what these captains have been up to since last year's IPL, and what we can expect from them.

Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Runs: 113, Innings: 7, Avg: 16.14, SR: 136.14*

Patidar could be forgiven for thinking he has the golden touch. RCB had come close to an IPL title many times in their first 17 years, only to fall short. Then, in their 18th season, Patidar was made captain: he led their most well-rounded side with a calm head, and a maiden title seemed almost inevitable by the end. He has since led Central Zone to a Duleep Trophy title, and was appointed Madhya Pradesh captain across formats. However, the months after were less kind: a knee injury and a poor run of form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy stalled Patidar's momentum. Now fit again, he will look to have another crack at the trophy with RCB.

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

No T20s since IPL 2025

Iyer has been on the fringes of India's T20I side for a while, and returns to the IPL with a point to prove. He led PBKS from the front in a spirited campaign last year, highlighted by his 41-ball 87 not out in Qualifier 2, when PBKS chased down 204. They fell short in the final, and Iyer then suffered a spleen injury in Australia in October. Since then, he has spent more time on the sidelines - part of India's squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand but without a game, and later missing out on the T20 World Cup squad.

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Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

Runs: 563, Innings: 33, SR 167.06; Wickets: 22, ER: 8.89

Hardik has had a packed few months: Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and T20 World Cup. He has been a crucial cog in national colours, primarily as a finisher with the bat while contributing with the ball both inside and outside the powerplay. After leading MI into the playoffs last year, he will be aiming to take them to their first final since 2020. But the big questions remain: will he take the new ball, and does he slot in as an anchor or return to his finishing role?

Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)

Runs: 291 runs, Innings: 15, Avg: 24.25, SR: 137.26

Gill was India's T20I vice-captain, and then he wasn't. He was in line to open at the World Cup, and then out of the squad entirely after putting up underwhelming numbers. Back in familiar territory now in the IPL, the flat tracks of Ahmedabad should suit his batting, but he will be keen to show he can adapt across conditions when his team needs it.

Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)

Runs: 167, Innings: 23, SR: 119.28; Wickets: 26, ER: 7.74

Axar has an uncanny ability to slip under the radar among bigger stars, and yet he was pivotal to India's recent T20 World Cup win. Slotting into a Jadeja-esque role, he floated through the batting order while delivering with the ball - most notably his 3 for 27 that ripped the heart out of New Zealand in the final.

All of Axar's T20 cricket over the past year has come for India, but he will remember how close DC came to the playoffs in his debut season as captain: four wins to start, then just one in the last six. Buoyed by World Cup success, Axar returns better equipped to close out big moments.

Ishan Kishan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Runs: 1049 runs, Innings: 23, Avg: 47.68, SR: 202.11

In many ways, Kishan's arc has been the mirror opposite of Gill's. Out of the national side's plans, he hit a new peak, scoring two rapid hundreds and captaining Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title. He forced his way back into India's T20I side, became first-choice opener in the New Zealand series, and capped it off with a World Cup win - including a blistering 25-ball 54 in the final. With SRH's regular captain Pat Cummins set to miss the first few matches, Kishan has a chance to add another feather to his cap.

6:13

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Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

No T20s since IPL 2025

Pant endured a horror IPL last year, scoring just 269 runs in 14 innings - a bulk of them coming in a scintillating 118 not out late in the league stage. Since then, it has been a stop-start period: strong form in Tests in England, followed by a fractured left foot that cut the tour short. He returned to captain India in Tests during a 2-0 loss to South Africa, and later missed out on ODIs due to a side strain. Pant will now look for continuity - and a turnaround in fortunes - with LSG.

Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Runs: 391, Innings: 10, Avg: 48.87, SR: 161.57

This could be the last-chance saloon for Rahane in the IPL. KKR managed just five wins in 14 games last season, and at 37, time is not on his side. Still, a productive SMAT - 391 runs at a strike rate of 161.57 - has earned him another shot. Intent has not been an issue for the new Rahane; his 390 runs in the last IPL came at a strike rate of 147.72. The concern is rust: he hasn't played competitive cricket since December.

Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

Runs: 53, Innings: 6, Avg: 8.83, SR: 74.64

Parag has long been a project for RR, evolving from boy wonder to the face of a new era. He was trialled as captain last season in Sanju Samson's absence, and now takes over full-time. Parag led RR in eight matches, and scored 393 runs, finishing as their second-highest run-getter. But what followed was a slump: a forgettable SMAT, where he failed to cross 15 in any innings. His only notable knock since was a 39-ball 69 for India A against Namibia. At 24, Parag still boasts a higher ceiling than most, and RR will hope he rediscovers his touch.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Runs: 6, Innings: 1, Avg: 6.00, SR: 75.00

Maybe it will be third time lucky for Gaikwad. MS Dhoni handed over the reins ahead of IPL 2024, when Gaikwad led CSK to a fifth-place finish. Last year, injury ruled him out after five matches, and CSK finished bottom. Since returning, Gaikwad has thrived in ODIs: a century against South Africa, and two more in the Vijay Hazare Trophy underline his form. CSK have backed him to continue as captain, even after bringing in Samson.

*Figures from all official T20s played since the end of IPL 2025

Abhijato Sensarma is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo

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