The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to bring exciting changes, and one of the most discussed aspects is the captaincy shuffle across franchises. While some teams have retained their long-time leaders, others have made bold moves, appointing new skippers ahead of the season.
With experienced international stars, young Indian talents, and surprise choices, the list of IPL 2025 captains promises thrilling leadership battles. Here’s a look at all the team captains for IPL 2025 and what these decisions mean for their respective franchises.
Full List of IPL 2025 Captains
- Delhi Capitals (DC) – Axar Patel
- Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Pat Cummins
- Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Shreyas Iyer
- Mumbai Indians (MI) – Hardik Pandya
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Rishabh Pant
- Gujarat Titans (GT) – Shubman Gill
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Sanju Samson
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – Rajat Patidar
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Ajinkya Rahane
Let’s break down the key takeaways from these captaincy choices.
Major Captaincy Changes in IPL 2025
1. Axar Patel Becomes Delhi Capitals Captain
After the uncertainty around Rishabh Pant’s fitness, Axar Patel takes over the leadership role for Delhi Capitals. The all-rounder has been a vital part of DC’s squad, and his tactical understanding will be tested this season.
2. Pat Cummins Leads Sunrisers Hyderabad
Sunrisers Hyderabad made a bold call by appointing Pat Cummins as their captain. The Australian skipper brings experience, leadership, and composure under pressure, which could be crucial for SRH’s title aspirations.
3. Shreyas Iyer Takes Charge of Punjab Kings
PBKS finally made a solid leadership decision by appointing Shreyas Iyer as their captain. Known for his calm approach and batting consistency, Iyer could be the key to reviving Punjab’s IPL journey.
4. Hardik Pandya Retains Mumbai Indians Captaincy
Despite the controversy surrounding his return to MI, Hardik Pandya remains their captain. His leadership will be closely monitored after replacing Rohit Sharma, a five-time IPL-winning captain.
5. Rishabh Pant Returns as LSG Captain
One of the most anticipated comebacks, Rishabh Pant is set to lead Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). His aggressive mindset and ability to turn games around will be a huge boost for the franchise.
6. Shubman Gill Continues as Gujarat Titans Skipper
After taking over in IPL 2024, Shubman Gill retains the Gujarat Titans captaincy. As a young leader, he will be looking to guide GT to another title challenge.
7. Rajat Patidar – The Surprise RCB Captain
Perhaps the biggest shock of IPL 2025, Rajat Patidar has been appointed as RCB’s new captain. With the legendary Virat Kohli and senior players around him, it remains to be seen how Patidar handles the responsibility.
8. Ruturaj Gaikwad Takes Over CSK
With MS Dhoni stepping down, Ruturaj Gaikwad becomes the new Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain. Gaikwad has been a consistent performer for CSK, and leading the team in IPL 2025 will be a huge test for him.
9. Ajinkya Rahane Becomes KKR’s Captain
In another surprising move, Ajinkya Rahane has been named the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain. His experience and leadership qualities could help KKR aim for another IPL title.
10. Sanju Samson Continues as Rajasthan Royals Captain
One of the most consistent captains in the IPL, Sanju Samson retains his RR captaincy. He has been instrumental in guiding Rajasthan Royals and will look to bring them another shot at the trophy.
What These Captaincy Changes Mean for IPL 2025
1️⃣ A New Era for CSK & RCB – With Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar taking over, IPL 2025 marks a major generational shift in leadership.
2️⃣ Experienced Overseas Captains – Pat Cummins leading SRH and Rahane captaining KKR shows that franchises are trusting international experience.
3️⃣ Comebacks & Redemption Stories – Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya have big points to prove this season as captains.
4️⃣ Delhi Capitals’ Gamble – Can Axar Patel thrive as DC’s leader? This decision could either work wonders or backfire.
5️⃣ Mumbai Indians’ Leadership Tension – MI’s decision to keep Hardik Pandya as captain will remain one of the biggest talking points in IPL 2025.
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FAQs
Why is Ruturaj Gaikwad the new CSK captain?
With MS Dhoni stepping down, CSK management sees Gaikwad as a long-term leader. His consistency and calm nature made him the preferred choice.
Why is Rajat Patidar the new RCB captain?
RCB’s decision to name Rajat Patidar as captain is a surprise move, possibly indicating a rebuilding phase. He has shown promise as a batter, but leadership will be a big challenge.
