The IPL 2026 season brings fresh excitement for cricket fans. The mini auction has changed squad compositions. Some franchises also made changes to their captaincy this year.
Captains guide their teams through tough situations. They set the game plan and motivate players. This article covers all 10 IPL 2026 captains, their leadership styles, previous records, and what they bring to their teams.
IPL 2026 Captains List: All 10 Teams
Here is the complete information about all 10 captains:
| Team | Captain | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batsman |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Shubman Gill | Batsman |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Ajinkya Rahane | Batsman |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer | Batsman |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Riyan Parag | All-rounder |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Rajat Patidar | Batsman |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Pat Cummins / Ishan Kishan | Fast Bowler / WK-Batsman |
Note: All Stats are updated till the 2025 final match. Since the current IPL is ongoing, stats will be updated after the IPL.
1. Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad leads CSK for the third straight season. He gained valuable experience in the last two years. His calm nature helps the team stay focused under pressure.
Gaikwad scores runs at the top of the order. He also reads the game well and makes smart decisions. CSK trusts him to carry forward their winning culture.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 72 |
| IPL Runs | 2,508 |
| Matches as Captain | 28 |
| Titles Won as Captain | 0 |
| Title Won with CSK | 1 (2023 – as player) |
| Orange Cap | 1 (2021) |
2. Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel
Axar Patel continues as DC captain. He brings tactical skills and steady guidance to the team. Last season, he helped blend young players with experienced ones.
Axar contributes with both bat and ball. He motivates teammates and makes key calls in close games. DC relies on his all-around abilities and leadership.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 162 |
| IPL Wickets | 128 |
| IPL Runs | 1916 |
| Matches as Captain | 14 |
| Titles Won as Captain | 0 |
| Best Bowling (IPL) | 4/21 |
3. Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill stays as GT captain. He took over after Hardik Pandya left the franchise. His composure in tough situations gives the team a solid base.
Gill bats with patience and class at the top. He also focuses on developing young players in the squad. His field placements and game plans keep GT competitive.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 118 |
| IPL Runs | 3,866 |
| Matches as Captain | 28 |
| Titles Won as Captain | 0 |
| Title Won with GT | 1 (2022 – as player) |
| Highest Score | 129 |
4. Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane leads KKR after last season’s leadership changes. His calm approach keeps the team organized. He brings years of experience to the role.
Rahane mentors younger players in the squad. He uses smart tactics and adapts quickly to match situations. KKR benefits from his steady presence.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 199 |
| IPL Runs | 5,099 |
| Previous Captain (RR) | 2014-2015 |
| Title Won with KKR | 1 (2024 – as player) |
| Highest Score | 105* |
| IPL Centuries | 2 |
5. Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant continues as LSG captain. He plays with an aggressive and fearless style. His dynamic batting lifts the team in crunch moments.
Pant makes sharp decisions under pressure. He inspires confidence among young players. His energy brings life to the LSG dugout.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 1205 |
| IPL Runs | 3,553 |
| Matches as Captain (DC) | 42 |
| Titles Won as Captain | 0 |
| Highest Score | 128* |
| Strike Rate | 147.61 |
6. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya remains MI captain. He uses his all-around skills to balance the team. His energetic approach boosts team morale.
Pandya makes bold calls during matches. He changes bowlers at key times and shuffles the batting order when needed. These moves often swing close games in MI’s favor.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 153 |
| IPL Runs | 2,767 |
| IPL Wickets | 79 |
| Title Won as Captain (GT) | 1 (2022) |
| Titles Won with MI | 4 (as player) |
| Best All-Round Season | 2022 (487 runs, 8 wickets) |
7. Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer leads PBKS with calmness and strategy. He scored consistently last season. His previous captaincy experience makes him a reliable leader.
Under Iyer, PBKS reached the runner-up spot in IPL 2025. He helps new players settle into the team. His focus on unity makes the squad stronger.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 133 |
| IPL Runs | 3,731 |
| Title Won as Captain (KKR) | 1 (2024) |
| PBKS Runner-up | 2025 |
| Highest Score | 96 |
8. Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag
Riyan Parag takes over as RR captain for IPL 2026, making him the first player from Northeast India to captain an IPL franchise permanently. The 24-year-old Assam all-rounder was named captain following Sanju Samson’s trade to Chennai Super Kings.
Head coach Kumar Sangakkara explained the decision: “Riyan, with his maturity, his vision, wanted not just to captain but to lead the team. We had five candidates, including Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sandeep Sharma. After a rigorous process, Riyan emerged as the best choice.”
Parag served as stand-in captain for 8 matches in IPL 2025 when Samson was injured, winning 2 games. He brings experience from leading Assam and has been with RR since 2019. His explosive 2024 season (573 runs) and record-breaking feat of hitting six consecutive sixes in IPL history showcase his match-winning abilities.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 85 |
| IPL Runs | 1,580 |
| IPL Strike Rate | 141.70 |
| IPL Fifties | 7 |
| Highest Score | 95 |
| Matches as Captain (Stand-in) | 8 (IPL 2025) |
| Titles Won | 0 |
| Special Record | First player to hit 6 consecutive sixes in IPL |
9. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar stays as RCB captain. He led the team to their first IPL title last season. His calm nature provides stability in big moments.
Patidar supports young players and builds team spirit. He makes strategic choices at crucial times. RCB looks to defend its title under his leadership.
Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 43 |
| IPL Runs | 1,142 |
| Title Won as Captain | 1 (2025) |
| IPL Hundred | 112* vs RR (2022 Qualifier) |
| Highest Score | 112* |
| Strike Rate | 156.01 |
10. Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins / Ishan Kishan
Pat Cummins remains the regular SRH captain.
However, due to a lumbar stress back injury, he will miss the first phase of IPL 2026. Current reports suggest Cummins will likely miss approximately 7-10 matches as he follows a strict recovery load-management plan.
Why Ishan Kishan is the Interim Captain
Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the interim captain with Abhishek Sharma as the vice-captain. Head coach Daniel Vettori explained the decision:
Ishan’s been around in the IPL for a long period of time now. He’s been with several teams and has been highly successful. The fact that he led India U-19 and his state team, Jharkhand, to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title this year shows he is a confident person, a confident player, and a really confident leader.
Kishan captained RCB vs SRH in IPL 2026 Match 1, making his IPL captaincy debut. At 27 years and 253 days, he became the youngest Indian to captain SRH. His stellar form continued from the T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored 317 runs at a strike rate of 193.29, helping India lift the trophy.
Pat Cummins – Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 72 |
| IPL Wickets | 59 |
| Matches as Captain (SRH) | 28 |
| SRH Runner-up | 2024 |
| Economy Rate | 8.81 |
| International Captaincy | Australia Captain |
Ishan Kishan – Previous Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| IPL Matches (Career) | 120 |
| IPL Runs | 3,078 |
| IPL Centuries | 1 (106* for SRH vs RR, 2025) |
| Title Won with MI | 2 (2019, 2020) |
| SMAT 2025-26 Champion | Captain of Jharkhand |
| T20 World Cup 2026 | 317 runs, SR 193.29 |
| Expected Matches as SRH Captain | 7-10 (until Cummins returns) |
Also Read:
- Most Wickets in IPL by Indian Bowlers (Updated 2026)
- Batsmen with Most Runs in a Single Over in IPL (2026 Stats)
IPL 2026 Features 9 Indian Captains & 1 Overseas Captain!
IPL 2026 features a mix of experienced and new captains. Some leaders like Gaikwad, Gill, and Pant continue with their teams. Others, like Riyan Parag, get their first full-time captaincy opportunity.
This season marks a historic first with all 10 IPL teams starting under Indian captains. Riyan Parag’s appointment makes him the first player from Northeast India to serve as permanent captain of an IPL franchise.
Each captain will face unique challenges this season. Updated squads and new talent will test their leadership skills. Fans can expect exciting matches as these 10 leaders guide their teams toward the trophy.
