Rishabh Pant gone, four more IPL captains could face the axe after make-or-break IPL season

IPL 2026 is heading towards its final showdown with the Gujarat Titans set for a rematch against their Qualifier 1 opponent Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in the title clash in Ahmedabad on Sunday, 31 May. But for several franchises, the focus has already started shifting to what comes next, which means making some tough decisions and moving towards possible exits of their big names.

The biggest early development has come from Lucknow Super Giants, who have already removed Rishabh Pant as captain following a disastrous season. Meanwhile, reports suggest that more franchises could replace their captains, with even established names like Hardik Pandya under pressure after the Mumbai Indians endured another disappointing campaign.

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Hardik wanting to leave MI?

Mumbai Indians' struggles have continued for many seasons and they once again failed to qualify for the playoffs, continuing a decline since their last strong run in 2020 when they lifted their record fifth title under Rohit Sharma. Hardik has reportedly informed MI about his intention to leave the franchise altogether, as all senior players were apparently not on the same page.

Hardik, who had left the franchise in 2021 to lead the Gujarat Titans, returned in 2024 after Rohit was removed as captain. However, reports suggest that the MI dressing room has not been the same ever since his return to the side, and that senior players like Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit were not on the same page as Hardik. SKY and Bumrah even led the side in the absence of Hardik in the middle of the season, but nothing seemed to work for them.

Hardik Pandya is reportedly unhappy with the lack of support from senior players at the Mumbai Indians. Image: AFP

Can Samson become the new CSK captain?

Chennai Super Kings also went through a tough season under Ruturaj Gaikwad as they once again missed out on the playoffs for the third time in a row. Despite bringing Sanju Samson as the biggest trade deal of the year and giving opportunities to young players like Aayush Mhatre and Karthik Sharma, CSK did not look at its best. While there were glimpses of promise, their bowling attack struggled badly in the second half of the season, costing them crucial matches.

Gaikwad, who took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni and it looked like he would take the legacy forward for years to come, is now under the threat of losing his job. His 'slow' batting in powerplay this season has only worsened his case.

Samson appears to be the favourite to replace Gaikwad as captain, but even that doesn't guarantee anything. They will still have to make a lot of changes to return to their best from the MS Dhoni era.

Is this the end of Rahane's IPL journey?

Kolkata Knight Riders, led by Ajinkya Rahane, also failed to find consistency despite making a comeback late in the season. KKR had made a bold statement at the auction by signing Cameron Green for a record fee. However, the Aussie all-rounder failed to live up to the expectations with both the bat and the ball, forcing KKR to rethink their decision.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Kolkata Knight Riders may part ways before IPL 2027. Image: AP

Rahane had a comparatively decent season with the bat, but that does not take away from the responsibility he carries as captain. With Rahane now in his late 30s and well past his prime and no longer in India’s national setup, it was already being discussed before the start of IPL 2026 that he might be replaced, either ahead of next season or even mid-way through the current campaign, though that did not happen.

However, Rinku Singh could take over the leadership role from Rahane next season, with the groundwork for that transition already being laid this year when he was named the vice-captain of the team. KKR will also look to correct their mistake of spending Rs 25.20 crore on Green and may look to use that money elsewhere by releasing him and possibly buying him back at a lower price.

Will DC take the hard call to sack Axar?

Delhi Capitals under Axar Patel had a mixed season as well. They showed flashes of brilliance and picked up important wins mid-season, but inconsistency and a weak Net Run Rate meant they finished 6th and missed out on the playoffs once again. Axar, as a captain, has not been that bad, but his team's tendency to throw away games from winning positions has cost them the most.

Ever since taking over the reins from Pant in 2024, Axar has led the team twice and failed to take them to the playoffs on both occasions. No immediate name comes to mind as Axar’s replacement, but he could definitely face the axe ahead of the next season. KL Rahul is already in the team and has past experience of leading an IPL side, but it is not certain whether the franchise will look towards a younger option or go with experience.

Among all these uncertain futures, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer stands out as the only skipper expected to retain his role despite his team also missing the playoffs. His leadership was brilliant again, and his jodi with Ricky Ponting has quickly become one of the most successful captain-coach combinations in IPL history. Ponting has already hinted at keeping Iyer as the captain as long as he is the coach of PBKS.