Published By: Sanchari Das

IPL 2025's Leadership Landscape: Veterans, Stars, and Surprises

As the IPL 2025 season approaches, the focus shifts to the strategists on the field—the captains

With the squads finalised, attention now shifts to captaincy for the IPL 2025 season. A captain plays a pivotal role in any team's success, leading both on and off the field. Legends like MS Dhoni have showcased the immense value of leadership, steering Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles. In IPL 2024, Pat Cummins proved the same for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), transforming their approach to aggressive cricket. As the 2025 season approaches, five teams have confirmed their leaders, and the remaining five are still searching for the right choice. Let's explore the confirmed captains and possible candidates for the other teams.

The confirmed leaders

Five teams have already confirmed their captains for IPL 2025. Ruturaj Gaikwad will continue to lead CSK, a role he took on last season after MS Dhoni left the captaincy role. Shubman Gill remains the captain for Gujarat Titans, having impressed with his leadership and batting prowess.

Mumbai Indians will once again rely on Hardik Pandya, aiming for yet another trophy under his guidance. Rajasthan Royals have retained Sanju Samson as their skipper, hoping he can end their title drought since 2008. Pat Cummins, who led SRH to the IPL 2024 final, will aim to secure the title this year.

Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might see a familiar face return to captaincy. Virat Kohli is rumoured to be stepping back as the leader after Faf du Plessis' departure. Kohli, who previously captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, led the team to four playoffs and a memorable final in 2016. His passion for the franchise is unmatched, as he has pledged to play only for RCB in the IPL. After his T20 World Cup triumph and retirement from the format, Kohli's return as captain could bring renewed energy to the team.

KL Rahul to lead Delhi Capitals?

Delhi Capitals face a leadership conundrum after Rishabh Pant's exit. In the 2025 auction, they secured KL Rahul for INR 14 crore, making him a strong candidate for captaincy. Rahul has previously led Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), showcasing a balanced track record with 31 wins in 64 matches. Despite recent form concerns, Rahul's vast experience and ability to anchor innings make him an ideal candidate. With new coaches Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao onboard, Rahul's leadership might mark a fresh start for the franchise.

Shreyas Iyer for Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings broke the bank, spending INR 26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history. Fresh off leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their 2024 title, Iyer is an obvious choice for Punjab's captaincy. Known for his calm demeanour and tactical brilliance, Iyer has a proven track record. He became the first Indian captain to take two different teams to IPL finals, with Delhi Capitals in 2020 and KKR in 2024. With Punjab Kings eager to end their title drought, Iyer's leadership could be their game-changer.

Rishabh Pant for Lucknow Super Giants

After parting ways with KL Rahul, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) turned to Rishabh Pant, securing him for INR 27 crore. Pant's aggressive style and sharp cricketing brain make him a standout captaincy candidate. He's no stranger to leadership, having previously captained Delhi Capitals to a top-table finish in IPL 2021. With a settled team and the right environment, Pant's unorthodox strategies and energetic presence behind the stumps could propel LSG to new heights.

Ajinkya Rahane for Kolkata Knight Riders

KKR's decision not to retain Shreyas Iyer left them searching for a leader. Enter Ajinkya Rahane, bought at his base price of INR 1.5 crore. Rahane brings a wealth of experience, having led Rajasthan Royals and even the Indian national team in crucial Test matches. KKR might rely on Rahane's steady leadership to guide the team while grooming Venkatesh Iyer, their star all-rounder, as a future captain. With Rahane's composed approach, KKR could aim for a solid 2025 campaign.