The IPL 2025 season is just around the corner, and every franchise has announced its captain. Some teams have stuck with their trusted leaders, while others have handed the reins to new faces.
These captains bring leadership skills and have a history of making significant contributions to the IPL over the years.
List of IPL 2025 Captains
| Team | Captain |
|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Axar Patel |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Shubman Gill |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Ajinkya Rahane |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Rishabh Pant |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Hardik Pandya |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Sanju Samson |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | Rajat Patidar |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Pat Cummins |
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been an important part of CSK since his debut in 2020. He was the highest run-scorer for the team when they won the IPL 2021 title and has consistently performed at the top of the order. In IPL 2024, CSK decided to prepare for the future by handing him the captaincy after MS Dhoni stepped down. Gaikwad will have big shoes to fill, but his calm approach and ability to build innings make him a strong leader for the team.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been one of the most reliable all-rounders in the IPL, playing for Delhi Capitals since 2019. He has delivered with bat and ball, often turning games around in crucial moments. With Rishabh Pant moving to Lucknow Super Giants, Axar led DC. Having served as vice-captain, he understands the team dynamics well and will aim to take Delhi to its maiden IPL title.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill was appointed Gujarat Titans’ captain in 2024 after Hardik Pandya was traded to Mumbai Indians. While GT struggled under his leadership last season, finishing eighth, Gill is a young and talented batter who has been a key player since the franchise’s debut in 2022. He played a massive role in their title-winning season that year and will be looking to improve his leadership skills in 2025.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is no stranger to leadership roles. He previously captained Rajasthan Royals and has also led the Indian Test team to victory in Australia. In IPL 2025, he takes over as KKR’s captain, replacing Shreyas Iyer. Rahane brings a wealth of experience and a composed mindset, which could help KKR defend its IPL 2024 title. Known for his classical stroke play, he will look to balance the responsibilities of captaincy while anchoring the batting lineup.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Rishabh Pant
After recovering from a serious injury, Rishabh Pant returns to IPL action, but this time with a new team. LSG made headlines by signing him for a record-breaking ₹27 crore and immediately named him captain. Pant previously led Delhi Capitals, guiding them to the playoffs multiple times. His fearless batting and aggressive captaincy style will be exciting to watch as he looks to take LSG deep into the tournament.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya was traded back to Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024 and was immediately named captain, replacing Rohit Sharma. However, his first season as MI captain did not go as planned, with the team finishing at the bottom of the points table. Despite the tough season, Pandya remains one of the best all-rounders in the game and has experience leading the Gujarat Titans to their maiden IPL title in 2022. He will be determined to bounce back and prove his leadership skills with Mumbai in 2025.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer was one of the biggest buys in the IPL 2025 auction, with Punjab Kings acquiring him for ₹26.75 crore. Iyer has proven himself a strong leader, leading Delhi Capitals to their first-ever IPL final in 2020. He also captained KKR before injuries sidelined him in 2023. Now, he takes charge of Punjab, a team known for its inconsistency, and will look to bring much-needed stability and success.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been Rajasthan Royals’ captain since 2021 and has consistently performed with the bat. Under his leadership, RR reached the IPL 2022 final, where they finished as runners-up. He has played for the Royals for most of his IPL career and has developed into a key player for them. As captain, Samson will aim to take RR one step further and secure their first title since 2008.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Rajat Patidar
In a surprise decision, RCB handed over the captaincy to Rajat Patidar, replacing Faf du Plessis. Patidar made a name for himself in IPL 2022 when he scored a brilliant century in the playoffs. Although he is relatively new to leadership, RCB management has placed their faith in him to bring a fresh approach. The franchise is still searching for its first IPL trophy, and fans will hope Patidar can finally lead them to glory.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Pat Cummins
Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins was named SRH’s captain in 2024, leading them to the final in his first season as skipper. His leadership experience extends beyond the IPL, captaining Australia to win the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup in 2023. SRH fans will be eager to see if Cummins can finally guide them to another IPL title after their last triumph in 2016.
FAQs
Q. Who has the most captaincy experience in IPL 2025?
A. Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya have all captained their teams in multiple seasons.
Q. Which IPL captain has won a trophy before?
A. Hardik Pandya won the IPL in 2022 as Gujarat Titans’ captain, while Pat Cummins was part of KKR’s title-winning squad in 2014.
Q. Who is the youngest captain in IPL 2025?
A. Shubman Gill is the youngest captain this season at 25 years old.
