The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to get rolling March 22 to May 25, even as fans can’t keep calm to watch the return of the rivalries.
There are 10 teams in the fray in the 18th edition of the tournament and each sides will have a mix of familiar and new faces.
Five of the teams – Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad – have retained their skippers from the previous season. On the other hand, the other five teams including defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants have opted to play with a fresh approach by appointing new captains for IPL 2025.
Australian Pat Cummins will be the only overseas captain in IPL 2025 as he will be leading SRH.
Here are the captains for IPL 2025 teams:
CSK – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been with the Chennai Super Kings since 2019 and was appointed captain of the team ahead of the IPL 2024 season, succeeding MS Dhoni’s massive shoes. Under his leadership, CSK finished fifth on the points table last season with seven wins and as many losses.
DC – Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been appointed as the new leader of Delhi Capitals after Rishabh Pant switched to LSG. Patel has been with the team since 2019, he was retained ahead of the mega auction.
GT – Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill will continue to lead Gujarat Titans after taking over the role in 2024. He will enter the tournament with more confidence having served as the vice-captain of India’s Champions Trophy-winning squad.
KKR – Ajinkya Rahane
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the new captain for IPL 2025. He has previously played for KKR in 2022 and will be working in a familiar environment.
MI – Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya will continue leading Mumbai Indians despite facing backlash last season where they finished last. Pandya has a huge task of redeeming himself in 2025.
RR – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson will continue to lead Rajasthan Royals. After taking up the role in 2021, the management have reposed faith in him.
Under his leadership, the Royals have made it to two playoffs, including a runners-up finish in IPL 2022 – their first final since their title triumph in the inaugural 2008 season.
RCB – Rajat Patidar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have named Rajat Patidar as their new captain, replacing Faf du Plessis. Patidar, who made his IPL debut in 2021, looks ready to take up the leadership role and time will tell if he will turn the fortune for the trophyless RCB.
SRH – Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins will continue to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in their bid to win the trophy after finishing as runners-up in the last season. SRH have done well under his leadership and a good squad is all he needs.
PBKS – Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of Punjab Kings, and will once again be working with coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he led Delhi Capitals to the IPL 2020 final. Iyer won the trophy for Kolkata Knight Riders last season and will be looking to do the same for PBKS this year.
LSG – Rishabh Pant
Lucknow Super Giants have named Rishabh Pant as their new captain replacing KL Rahul, who led the franchise in its first three seasons before joining Delhi Capitals for IPL 2025.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy: List Of All Winners
Full list of IPL 2025 captains
| Team | Captain | Vice- Captain |
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | TBD |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel | Faf du Plessis |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | Rashid Khan |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane | Venkatesh Iyer |
| Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya | TBD |
| Rajasthan Royals | Sanju Samson | TBD |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajat Patidar | TBD |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | TBD |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | TBD |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | TBD |
