The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) is set to begin on March 22. Fans are excited for another thrilling season of this popular tournament. The opening match will be played at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata, where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Royal Challengers Bangalore.
All ten teams have made important changes to their squads and coaching staff. Some teams have appointed new captains for the season, while others have continued with their previous leaders from IPL 2024. Now, let’s look at the Top 10 captains in IPL 2025 who will play a key role in their team’s success.
IPL 2025 Team Captains: Who’s Leading Each Franchise This Season?
The IPL 2025 season brings a mix of experienced and new captains, each ready to lead their teams with skill and strategy. Ruturaj Gaikwad remains the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after replacing MS Dhoni in 2024.
Hardik Pandya continues to lead Mumbai Indians (MI), aiming for a stronger season. Ajinkya Rahane has taken charge of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), bringing his experience to the defending champions.
Pat Cummins stays as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain after guiding them to the IPL 2024 final. Axar Patel steps in as Delhi Capitals (DC) captain, replacing Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill leads Gujarat Titans (GT) once again, looking to improve their performance. Rajat Patidar takes over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), replacing Faf du Plessis.
Shreyas Iyer now captains Punjab Kings (PBKS), adding his leadership experience to the team. Rishabh Pant is the new captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) after a record-breaking signing. Sanju Samson continues as Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain, staying a key part of the team since 2018.
Top 10 IPL 2025 Captains
IPL 2025 has 10 captains, each bringing their own leadership style and experience to help their teams fight for the trophy. They will play a key role in guiding their squads through tough matches and making smart decisions on the field.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Captain In IPL 2025
Rishabh Pant has been a standout player in the IPL, known for his explosive batting and sharp wicketkeeping. In 111 matches, he has scored 3,284 runs with an impressive average of 35.31 and a strike rate of 148.93.
His highest score of 128* shows his ability to play match-winning innings. He has smashed one century and 18 half-centuries, along with 296 fours and 154 sixes.
Besides his batting, he has been a reliable wicketkeeper, taking 75 catches and 23 stumpings, making him a key player for his team.
As a captain, Pant has led in 43 matches, securing 23 wins, 19 losses, and 1 tie, with a win-loss ratio of 1.21. He has also been consistent with the bat as a leader, scoring 1,205 runs in 43 games at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 144, including six half-centuries.
- Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Total Matches Played: 111
- Matches as Captain: 43
- Wins: 23
- Losses: 19
- Tie: 1
Mumbai Indians (MI) Captain In IPL 2025
Hardik Pandya has experienced both success and challenges as an IPL captain. Leading Gujarat Titans (GT), he had a dream start, winning the title in his debut season and finishing as runners-up the next year.
As a captain for GT and Mumbai Indians (MI), he has led in 45 matches, securing 26 wins and facing 19 losses, with a win percentage of 57.77.
A powerful all-rounder, Pandya has made a strong impact with his batting, bowling, and fielding. In 137 matches, he has scored 2,525 runs, with a highest score of 91 and an average of 28.69.
His aggressive batting style is reflected in his strike rate of 145.62, smashing 189 fours, 136 sixes, and 10 half-centuries.
With the ball, he has bowled 1,418 deliveries, taking 64 wickets at an average of 33.59 and an economy rate of 9.10. His best bowling figures are 3/17. On the field, he has taken 69 catches, proving to be a dependable fielder.
- Captain: Hardik Pandya
- Total Matches Played: 137
- Matches as Captain: 45
- Wins: 26
- Losses: 19
- Tie: 0
Rajasthan Royals (RR) Captain In IPL 2025
Sanju Samson has been leading Rajasthan Royals (RR) as captain since 2021, guiding the team in 61 matches. Under his leadership, RR has won 31 matches, lost 29, and had one match with no result. His win percentage of 51.67% reflects a steady captaincy record.
As a key player for RR, Samson has impressed with his batting and wicketkeeping in the IPL. In 167 matches, he has scored 4,419 runs with an average of 30.69 and a strike rate of 138.96.
His highest score of 119 shows his ability to play match-winning innings. He has hit three centuries and 25 half-centuries, smashing 352 fours and 206 sixes.
As a wicketkeeper, Samson has been dependable behind the stumps, taking 82 catches and 16 stumpings, making him a valuable asset for his team.
- Captain: Sanju Samson
- Total Matches Played: 167
- Matches as Captain: 61
- Wins: 31
- Losses: 29
- Tie: 1
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Captain In IPL 2025
Rajat Patidar has been named the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for IPL 2025, stepping into the role with high expectations.
A reliable middle-order batter, Patidar has played 27 IPL matches, scoring 799 runs with an impressive strike rate of 158.85. His highest score of 112* shows his ability to play match-winning innings.
With an average of 34.74, he has registered one century and seven fifties, proving his consistency. Besides his batting, he has been sharp on the field, taking eight catches.
As he takes on this new challenge, RCB fans will be eager to see how his leadership helps the team in IPL 2025.
- Captain: Rajat Patidar
- Total Matches Played: 27
- Matches as Captain: 0
- Wins: N/A
- Losses: N/A
- Tie: N/A
Punjab Kings (PBKS) Captain In IPL 2025
Shreyas Iyer has shown strong leadership while captaining Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. As DC’s captain, he led in 41 matches, winning 21 and losing 18, with a win percentage of 51.21%. He also had two tied matches.
With KKR, Iyer has been even more successful, winning 17 out of 29 matches and losing 11, achieving a win percentage of 58.62%. A consistent middle-order batter, he has played 115 IPL matches, scoring 3,127 runs, with a highest score of 96.
He maintains an average of 32.24 and a strike rate of 127.48. While he hasn’t scored a century yet, he has hit 21 half-centuries, smashing 271 fours and 113 sixes. Apart from batting, Iyer has also been active in the field, taking 49 catches.
- Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Total Matches Played: 115
- Matches as Captain: 69
- Wins: 38
- Losses: 29
- Tie: 2
Delhi Capitals (DC) Captain In IPL 2025
Axar Patel has been a consistent all-rounder in the IPL, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball. In 150 matches, he has scored 1,653 runs, with a highest score of 66, an average of 21.47, and a strike rate of 130.88.
While he hasn’t scored a century, he has hit three fifties, along with 107 fours and 79 sixes. In the field, he has shown his sharp reflexes, taking 72 catches.
As a bowler, Axar has bowled 3,099 deliveries, conceding 3,758 runs, and picking up 123 wickets at an average of 30.55 with an economy rate of 7.28. His best bowling figures stand at 4/21, and he has one four-wicket haul.
For IPL 2025, Axar Patel has been named captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) for the first time. With his all-round skills and experience, he will look to lead his team to success in the tournament.
- Captain: Axar Patel
- Total Matches Played: 150
- Matches as Captain: 0
- Wins: N/A
- Losses: N/A
- Tie: N/A
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Captain In IPL 2025
Ruturaj Gaikwad has captained Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 14 IPL matches, leading the team to 7 wins and 7 losses, giving him a 50% win rate. His win/loss ratio stands at 1.00, with no tied or no-result matches.
As a batter, he has been one of the most consistent players in the IPL. In 66 matches, he has scored 2,380 runs with an impressive average of 41.75 and a strike rate of 136.86.
His highest score is an unbeaten 108*, and he has hit 2 centuries and 18 half-centuries in his career. Playing as a top-order batter, he has smashed 217 fours and 91 sixes, proving his ability to score big.
Besides his batting skills, he has also been strong in the field, taking 36 catches. As CSK’s most dependable opener, he remains a key player in the tournament.
- Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Total Matches Played: 66
- Matches as Captain: 14
- Wins: 7
- Losses: 7
- Tie: 0
Gujarat Titans (GT) Captain In IPL 2025
Shubman Gill has led Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL, facing both wins and losses as captain. In 14 matches, he guided the team to 5 victories, suffered 7 defeats, and had 2 no-result games.
Gill has been one of the best batters in the IPL, showing steady performances with the bat. In 103 matches, he has scored 3,216 runs with a strong average of 37.84 and a strike rate of 135.70.
His highest score in the league is 129, and he has smashed 4 centuries and 20 half-centuries. Playing as a top-order batter, he has hit 310 fours and 95 sixes, proving his attacking ability.
Besides his batting, he has been dependable in the field, taking 37 catches. His all-round contributions make him a valuable player for GT.
- Captain: Shubhman Gill
- Total Matches Played: 103
- Matches as Captain: 14
- Wins: 5
- Losses: 7
- Tie: 2
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Captain In IPL 2025
Ajinkya Rahane has led Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in the IPL between 2017 and 2019. As captain in 25 matches, he secured 9 wins and faced 16 losses, giving him a win rate of 36%.
While he showed strong leadership, his teams struggled with consistency. Now, as the new captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025, Rahane aims to bring experience and stability to the team.
In his IPL career, he has played 185 matches and scored 4,642 runs with an average of 30.14 and a strike rate of 123.42. His highest score is an unbeaten 105*, and he has hit 2 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
Rahane is a skilled batter, smashing 478 fours and 103 sixes. On the field, he has been dependable, taking 71 catches. Though mainly known for his batting, he has bowled six deliveries and picked up one wicket, with his best figures being 1/5.
- Captain: Ajinkya Rahane
- Total Matches Played: 185
- Matches as Captain: 25
- Wins: 9
- Losses: 16
- Tie: 0
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Pat Cummins has shown strong leadership in the IPL, captaining his team in 14 matches. Under his guidance, the team won 8 games and lost 6, giving him a solid win rate of 57.14%.
He has been a valuable player, making an impact with both bat and ball. In 58 matches, he has scored 515 runs with an average of 19.81 and a strike rate of 149.71. His highest score is an unbeaten 66*, and he has hit three half-centuries.
Cummins has smashed 33 fours and 34 sixes, showing his ability to score quickly when needed. As a bowler, he has delivered 1,319 balls and taken 63 wickets at an average of 30.52 with an economy rate of 8.75.
His best bowling figures in an IPL match are 4/34, and he has one four-wicket haul. On the field, he has taken 15 catches. With his all-round skills, Cummins remains a key player in the tournament.
- Captain: Pat Cummins
- Total Matches Played: 58
- Matches as Captain: 14
- Wins: 8
- Losses: 6
- Tie: 0
