The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set to kick off with a fresh wave of anticipation and excitement from 22 March. With the mega auction done and teams finalizing their core squads, all eyes are now on the captains who will be leading their franchises into another high-octane season. This year’s captaincy landscape is notably different, with several new leaders taking charge and a few veterans continuing their leadership roles. From experienced international skippers to young Indian stars stepping into leadership shoes, IPL 2025 offers a unique blend of strategy, ambition, and new beginnings.
Here’s a complete breakdown of all ten IPL teams and their designated captains for the season, along with a quick look at their captaincy track records:
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been appointed as DC’s full-time captain for the 2025 season. Known for his calm demeanor and consistency with the ball, Axar is stepping into a leadership role for the first time in the IPL. This marks a new chapter for both Axar and Delhi, who will hope his balanced approach brings stability.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Pat Cummins
Australian skipper Pat Cummins will lead the Sunrisers, bringing his international leadership experience into the IPL fold. After a short but impactful captaincy stint in 2024, SRH has placed full faith in the World Cup-winning pacer.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer, previously at the helm for Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, now takes charge of PBKS. With over 50 matches of captaincy experience and a proven tactical mind, Shreyas aims to bring much-needed consistency to the Punjab side.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya continues as MI captain after his dramatic return from Gujarat Titans. Having led GT to a title in 2022, expectations are high for him to restore Mumbai’s glory days after a rough 2024 season.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Rishabh Pant
Back from a long injury layoff, Rishabh Pant takes on a new challenge as the skipper of LSG. His natural aggression and fearless style could infuse fresh energy into the side, making him a captain to watch.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill enters his second season as captain of Gujarat Titans. The young opener showed glimpses of smart leadership in 2024, and with more experience, he’ll be looking to lead GT deeper into the playoffs.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson remains at the helm of RR, continuing his leadership journey that began in 2021. While he’s yet to secure a title, his composed batting and tactical insights have kept RR competitive each year.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Rajat Patidar
RCB has made a bold move by naming Rajat Patidar as their new captain. With no prior IPL captaincy experience, this is a massive opportunity for the young middle-order batter to prove himself on the big stage.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Following MS Dhoni’s retirement, Ruturaj Gaikwad officially steps into the shoes of the legendary captain. Having led in a few matches during IPL 2024, Ruturaj now faces the task of upholding CSK’s proud legacy.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Ajinkya Rahane
Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane returns to a leadership role, this time with KKR. Known for his calm head and textbook technique, Rahane brings experience and composure as KKR looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2024.
