Get ready for IPL 2025 with exciting captaincy predictions for all teams. From experienced leaders to potential new faces, franchises may reshuffle their strategies to aim for glory. Stay tuned as we analyze possible captains who could define their team’s campaign and lead them to IPL success this season!
Defending champions KKR will have a new captain in IPL 2025.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enter IPL 2025 with a new leader at the helm. The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to commence on March 14, 2025, with the final scheduled for May 25. Like the past three seasons, IPL 2025 will feature 74 thrilling matches.
KKR, who claimed their third IPL title in 2024, will bid to defend their crown under new captaincy as Shreyas Iyer, their title-winning skipper, parted ways with the franchise and joined another team during the mega auction.
Interestingly, KKR is not the only team undergoing a leadership change. While five franchises are expected to retain their captains from the previous season, five others, including KKR, will introduce new skippers for the upcoming campaign.
List of teams and their likely captains
Sunrisers Hyderabad – Pat Cummins
After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons (2021-2023), Sunrisers Hyderabad made a bold move by acquiring ICC Cricket World Cup 2023-winning captain Pat Cummins for INR 20.50 crores during the IPL 2024 mini-auction and entrusting him with the leadership.
Cummins introduced a culture of confidence and fearlessness, which energized the SRH batting lineup and led to numerous record-breaking performances in IPL 2024. Under his guidance, SRH finished second in the league stage and ended as runners-up, losing the final to KKR. The Australian pacer is expected to continue leading SRH in IPL 2025.
Rajasthan Royals – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been a steady leader for Rajasthan Royals, guiding the team to the IPL 2022 final and narrowly missing out on the IPL 2024 final after finishing third on the points table.
In IPL 2024, RR started strong and topped the table mid-season but faltered in the second half. With his own international career gaining momentum, Samson will aim to lead the Royals to their second IPL title in 2025.
Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad took over the Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy from MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2024. Despite a strong effort, CSK narrowly missed the playoffs, losing their final league game to RCB, which advanced due to a better net run rate.
Gaikwad will aim to improve his captaincy and take CSK back to their winning ways in IPL 2025.
Gujarat Titans – Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill faced modest expectations in his debut season as Gujarat Titans’ captain in IPL 2024, given the franchise’s previous success under Hardik Pandya.
However, the Titans struggled, finishing eighth with just five wins from 14 matches. With a year of leadership experience and a strong squad built at the mega auction, Gill will look to guide GT to a playoff spot in IPL 2025.
Mumbai Indians – Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians made headlines by trading in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans before the IPL 2024 auction. However, Pandya’s maiden captaincy stint with MI didn’t yield success, as the team finished last with only four wins.
Despite this setback, the MI management has shown faith in Pandya, retaining him as captain for IPL 2025. With Suryakumar Yadav, India’s T20I captain, in the squad, Pandya will be under pressure to deliver a turnaround.
Punjab Kings – Shreyas Iyer
Punjab Kings named Shreyas Iyer as their IPL 2025 captain on January 12. This decision was anticipated, given Iyer’s prior success under head coach Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals.
Punjab spent INR 26.75 crores on Iyer in the mega auction. Fresh off leading Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer now adds Punjab to the list of IPL teams he has captained, having previously led Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Teams Yet to Announce Their Captains
- Kolkata Knight Riders – Captain TBA
- Royal Challengers Bangalore – Captain TBA
- Delhi Capitals – Captain TBA
- Lucknow Super Giants – Captain TBA