Mumbai: As the countdown to IPL 2025 begins, anticipation is at an all-time high. With the league set to kick off on March 22 and the grand finale scheduled for May 25, fans are bracing for two months of thrilling cricket. The excitement has only been amplified by several high-profile captaincy changes across franchises. From veteran leaders returning to new faces stepping up, here’s a look at the team captains for the upcoming season.
All IPL Teams and Their Titles
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – three titles: 2012, 2014, 2024
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – five titles: 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – five titles: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – founded in 2021, no title wins
- Gujarat Titans (GT) – 2022 winners
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) – no title wins
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) – winners of opening edition in 2008
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – one title: 2016
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – no title wins
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – no title wins
New Captains for IPL 2025
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
Hardik Pandya returns as Mumbai Indians’ captain after leading the side in 2024, though the team finished last that season. With five previous IPL titles under Rohit Sharma, Pandya faces immense pressure to prove his leadership mettle.
Rajat Patidar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
A fresh face at the helm for RCB, Rajat Patidar replaces Faf du Plessis. Patidar, known for his explosive batting, now carries the responsibility of delivering RCB’s long-awaited maiden IPL title.
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)
Punjab Kings secured Shreyas Iyer for a record-breaking ₹26.75 crore in the 2025 auction. Iyer, who previously led Delhi Capitals to the 2020 final, will be looking to transform PBKS into serious title contenders.
Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)
Sanju Samson retains his leadership role at Rajasthan Royals. Under him, RR finished third in 2024, and he will be keen to replicate the franchise’s 2008 triumph.
Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals)
After six seasons with DC, Axar Patel steps up as captain for the first time. He has led Gujarat in domestic cricket and served as vice-captain for India in T20Is, making him a promising choice for Delhi’s leadership.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
SRH has entrusted Australian pacer Pat Cummins with the captaincy, following his impressive leadership with the Australian national team. He took SRH to the finals in 2024 but fell short—will 2025 be his redemption year?
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)
In a surprising move, LSG roped in Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore and named him their new captain. After recovering from a near-fatal car accident, Pant is set for a major comeback.
Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)
Gill continues as GT’s captain after taking over in 2024. Following a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, he will aim to return Gujarat to the top.
Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders)
KKR’s defending champions have named Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for 2025. A seasoned leader, Rahane will look to replicate the team’s 2024 success.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK’s leadership baton has officially passed from MS Dhoni to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who captained the team in 2024. While CSK finished fifth last season, Gaikwad will look to build on his experience and take the team back to glory.
What’s Next?
With the IPL 2025 season set to begin, all eyes are on these captains as they prepare to lead their teams to victory. Will RCB finally break their title drought? Can Hardik Pandya redeem himself? Is this Dhoni’s last IPL season? The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the battle for the coveted trophy is about to begin.
