RR included: IPL teams that desperately need new captain before 2026 season

Anurag Dasgupta

IPL teams that need a captain [Source: AFP Photo] IPL teams that need a captain [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is still a few months away, but the buzz has already started and as per reports, the mini auction will take place in December, while all ten teams need to give their retention list by next month. While some IPL teams have already finalised their core for next season, some are still struggling.

Moreover, many IPL side needs a reinforcement of captains, either due to poor performances, or due to better options available. In this article, we list the 3 IPL sides that need a new skipper, and their potential successor.

1) Sunrisers Hyderabad

For the last two seasons, Pat Cummins has been the captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad; however, the Orange Army could face a roadblock ahead of the next season. Cummins has been nursing a serious back injury since July 2025 and he has not bowled a single delivery since then.

The Aussie captain will miss the ODIs vs India, and is also doubtful for the Ashes series. With such a serious injury to a pace bowler, doubts hover over his participation in the IPL next season. The stress fracture could take months to heal, and there is no timeline on his comeback, and hence, the franchise could aim to appoint a new captain ahead of the next season.

Who could replace Cummins

SRH is a young team, and they don’t have too many captaincy options. Hence, if Cummins is unable for the next season, SRH could play a punt and appoint Abhishek Sharma as their new skipper, or they could also go for Travis Head, the senior batter of the team.

2) Delhi Capitals

Last season, with Rishabh Pant joining Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals decided to appoint Axar Patel as their new skipper. His journey as the skipper started out with four wins on a trot, but everything faded post that. DC were primed to reach the playoffs, but they failed to do so.

Criterion
Data
Matches led14
Won7
Lost6
NR
1
Points15

(Axar as captain in IPL 2025)

  • In 14 matches, he won 7 games, but interestingly, he won only 3 of his last 10 games. Hence, the team could go in for a new skipper.

Who could replace Axar?

The obvious choice is KL Rahul, as the keeper-batter has immense experience of leading teams in the IPL, and at the international level, and this could work in DC’s favour as they would get an experienced leader at the helm.

3) Rajasthan Royals

In the 2025 season, Rajasthan’s regular skipper, Sanju Samson, was injured as he missed half the tournament. In his place, Riyan Parag was named the captain. Once Samson was fit, reports emerged that he had a rift with the Royals' management and wanted to leave the franchise.

Reportedly, RR are also interested in a trade deal if possible, and if they manage to offload Samson, the team will need a new leader.

Who could replace Samson

The obvious choice once again is Riyan Parag, since the RR board has backed him since his debut IPL season, and was also made the captain when Samson got injured.