The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set for an electrifying start, with every team management gearing up with fresh strategies and a single goal in mind—the coveted IPL trophy.
Following the mega auction, teams have undergone significant changes, with several big-money signings making headlines. Rishabh Pant emerged as the most expensive player in the auction, while franchises like Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders secured Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane respectively, as potential captaincy options.
With squads now finalized for the new season, this article provides a comprehensive look at the captains leading each IPL team in 2025.
Meet The Captains Of IPL 2025
This table provides details of the captains for each IPL team in the 2025 Indian Premier League season:
| Team | Captain | Country | Playing role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | India | Batter |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel | India | All-rounder |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | India | Batter |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | India | WK-batter |
| Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya | India | All-rounder |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | India | Batter |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | India | WK-batter |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajat Patidar | India | Batter |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | Australia | Bowler |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane | India | Batter |
Ahead of the new IPL season, most teams have changed their captains, either by appointing newly acquired players from the auction or by entrusting the responsibility to their experienced squad members.
Here is a list of teams that have appointed new captains from the IPL 2025 Mega Auction:
| Team | Newly added captains | Auction price |
|---|---|---|
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | 27 crore |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | 26.75 crore |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane | 1.5 crore |
Let’s take a detailed look at the captains of each IPL team and their roles:
1. Rishabh Pant (LSG)
| Matches as Captain | 43 |
| Wins | 23 |
| Loss | 19 |
| Win percentage | 53.48% |
have appointed Rishabh Pant as their new captain after acquiring him for a record-breaking price of ₹27 crore in the recently concluded players’ auction.
Rishabh Pant will take over the captaincy role from KL Rahul, who has been bought by Delhi Capitals in the latest player auction.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman will bring much-needed strength to LSG’s batting unit, and his leadership experience will be crucial in their quest for success in the new season.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)
| Matches as Captain | 14 |
| Wins | 7 |
| Loss | 7 |
| Win percentage | 50% |
Ruturaj Gaikwad took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in the IPL 2024 season and had a mixed record in his first leadership stint.
However, a long captaincy career still awaits him. His calm demeanor and classical batting approach make both him and his CSK team strong contenders for the Indian Premier League 2025.
3. Axar Patel (DC)
| Matches as Captain | 1 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Loss | 1 |
| Win percentage | 0 |
Axar Patel has been appointed as the new captain of Delhi Capitals for the IPL 2025 season after Rishabh Pant moved to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Axar previously led Delhi Capitals in one match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024, though the team ended up on the losing side.
Despite that, he remains a young and energetic leader, ready to take on the challenge of guiding DC to success this season. His all-round abilities and experience will be crucial as he steps into this new leadership role.
4. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)
| Matches as Captain | 70 |
| Wins | 38 |
| Loss | 29 |
| Win percentage | 54.28% |
Punjab Kings secured the services of Indian batter Shreyas Iyer for a massive ₹26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, with a clear vision of making him the new skipper of the franchise.
Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to the championship last season, making it a surprising move when KKR management allowed him to enter the auction.
As an experienced leader and player, Punjab Kings will be aiming for their first-ever IPL title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and his squad.
5. Sanju Samson (RR)
| Matches as Captain | 61 |
| Wins | 31 |
| Loss | 29 |
| Win percentage | 50.81% |
Rajasthan Royals are continuing with the services of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who was appointed as the team’s skipper in 2021.
Samson’s consistency has been instrumental in RR’s past seasons, and his presence in the top order will remain a key driving factor for the team in IPL 2025.
With a balanced squad and Samson’s composed leadership, Rajasthan Royals will be looking to replicate their past success and make a strong push for the title this season.
6. Hardik Pandya (MI)
| Matches as Captain | 45 |
| Wins | 26 |
| Loss | 19 |
| Win percentage | 57.77% |
Hardik Pandya has taken over the captaincy of Mumbai Indians after leading Gujarat Titans in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
As a dynamic all-rounder, his ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him one of the most influential captains among the 10 teams in the Indian Premier League.
With his leadership experience and match-winning skills, Mumbai Indians will be aiming for a successful campaign under his guidance in IPL 2025.
7. Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)
| Matches as Captain | 25 |
| Wins | 9 |
| Loss | 16 |
| Win percentage | 36% |
Ajinkya Rahane is set to captain Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2025 IPL season after being acquired by KKR in the player auction. His experience and recent form played a key role in the franchise entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the defending champions.
The right-handed batter has been in excellent form in the domestic circuit and will aim to carry that momentum into the IPL, guiding KKR in their title defense.
8. Pat Cummins (SRH)
| Matches as Captain | 16 |
| Wins | 9 |
| Loss | 7 |
| Win percentage | 56.25% |
Pat Cummins is set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in the new IPL campaign, bringing with him a wealth of experience from international cricket and his leadership role with the Australian national team. His tactical acumen and calm demeanor will be crucial for SRH in the upcoming season.
The right-arm pacer will also play a key role in spearheading SRH’s bowling attack, adding depth and leadership to their pace unit.
9. Shubman Gill (GT)
| Matches as Captain | 12 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Loss | 7 |
| Win percentage | 41.66% |
Shubman Gill, the Indian batter, was appointed as the new captain of Gujarat Titans in 2024 after Hardik Pandya returned to the Mumbai Indians following his leadership stint with GT in the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The right-handed opening batter is in excellent form ahead of the new season, and his consistency at the top of the order will be a crucial factor for GT’s success in IPL 2025.
10. Rajat Patidar (RCB)
| Matches as Captain* | Nil |
| Wins | Nil |
| Loss | Nil |
| Win percentage | Nil |
*Playing his first season as a captain
After Faf du Plessis’ exit from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad, Rajat Patidar has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading RCB in the IPL 2025 season, marking his debut as a captain.
Patidar was retained by RCB ahead of the player auction, with the franchise having a clear vision for his role. His batting ability in the middle order will be a crucial factor in their plans for the new season.
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Conclusion: IPL 2025 Season Sees 5 New Captains
As IPL 2025 gears up for an exciting season, the role of captains becomes more crucial than ever. Leadership has often been the defining factor in a team’s success, and this year brings fresh challenges and opportunities.
With Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer stepping into new leadership roles and Rajat Patidar making his captaincy debut, the tournament promises intense competition. Established leaders will aim to guide their teams to glory, while new captains look to make a mark.
As the season unfolds, fans can expect thrilling encounters, strategic battles, and a fierce quest for the coveted IPL 2025 title.
