Three IPL teams may change captains after disappointing 2026 season

The 2026 Indian Premier League season has turned difficult for several franchises, and leadership decisions are now becoming a major talking point. Reports suggest that three IPL teams — Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders — are seriously considering captaincy changes after disappointing performances this year.

Captains Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane are all facing questions about their future as leaders after their teams struggled throughout the season. While Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, their chances of qualification appear very slim. Lucknow Super Giants have already been knocked out of the tournament.

The disappointing campaigns have forced franchises to begin internal reviews as they plan for the next IPL season. Team managements are expected to carefully examine leadership, team combinations, player performances and coaching strategies.

For many IPL teams, captaincy plays a huge role in maintaining dressing-room confidence, making tactical decisions and handling pressure during close matches. When results do not go well, captains often become the first people to face criticism.

This season, all three captains struggled in different ways, both as leaders and performers.

Delhi Capitals are reportedly among the franchises most likely to make major changes after the season. Axar Patel, who was given leadership responsibilities, could lose the captaincy after failing to deliver strong results.

The all-rounder had a difficult season with both bat and ball. Batting mainly in the top five, Axar managed only 100 runs from nine innings. His bowling numbers also became a topic of discussion because he bowled only 36 overs across 12 matches despite maintaining a decent economy rate of 8.08 and taking 10 wickets.

Some cricket experts and insiders believe Delhi Capitals expected more involvement and impact from their captain during crucial moments of the tournament.

According to reports, Axar also depended heavily on members of the coaching staff during decision-making on the field. This has reportedly raised concerns inside the franchise management.

Sources tracking IPL developments told news agency PTI that Delhi Capitals may also make changes to the coaching staff before next season.

The franchise structure could also influence future decisions. Cricket operations at Delhi Capitals are expected to shift back to JSW under the team’s alternating ownership arrangement with GMR. Reports suggest that a change in management control may lead to a fresh approach regarding captaincy and team planning.

Despite the criticism, Axar Patel is still viewed as a valuable player because of his all-round abilities and experience in Indian cricket.

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Pant and Rahane under pressure

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is also under serious pressure after another disappointing IPL season. Pant remains one of India’s biggest white-ball cricket stars, but his performances this year did not meet expectations.

Lucknow had entered the season with high hopes and a strong squad, but the team failed to perform consistently and was eliminated from playoff contention.

Pant scored 251 runs during the season with a strike-rate of 138. However, critics pointed out that he hit only nine sixes in 11 matches, which is considered low for an aggressive T20 batter of his reputation.

Questions have also been raised about Lucknow’s team combinations and batting order decisions throughout the season. Several experts believe the team struggled to build momentum because players were repeatedly shifted between positions.

Some analysts feel Pant appeared under pressure while balancing wicketkeeping, batting responsibilities and captaincy duties together.

Even though his leadership is being questioned, Pant is still expected to remain an important player for the franchise because of his talent, experience and popularity.

At Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane’s future as captain also looks uncertain after a difficult season for the defending champions.

Rahane was appointed captain mainly because the franchise lacked experienced leadership options before the season began. Many inside the cricket community viewed his appointment as a temporary or stop-gap solution.

Although Rahane brought calmness and experience to the side, KKR struggled with aggressive batting at the top of the order throughout the tournament.

Rahane and young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi managed some decent partnerships, but critics felt the scoring rate was often too slow for modern T20 cricket, where teams usually aim for very high totals.

Several matches slipped away from Kolkata because they failed to maintain attacking momentum during the powerplay overs.

Unlike Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant, whose futures as players remain secure, Rahane’s IPL future itself now appears uncertain. With franchises constantly looking for younger and more explosive players, senior cricketers often face pressure after poor seasons.

Teams preparing for major reviews

IPL franchises usually conduct detailed reviews after every season, especially when teams fail to qualify for the playoffs. Team owners, coaches and support staff analyse performances and identify areas that need improvement.

This year, leadership has become one of the biggest concerns for several teams.

Modern T20 cricket demands captains who can make quick decisions, stay calm under pressure and maintain aggressive intent throughout the game. Teams also expect captains to contribute strongly with their own performances.

Experts believe franchises may now look for younger and more attacking leaders ahead of IPL 2027.

Several successful IPL teams in recent years have built strong leadership groups with captains who lead from the front both tactically and individually.

At the same time, many cricket experts warn against making very quick decisions after one disappointing season. IPL tournaments are highly competitive, and even strong teams sometimes struggle because of injuries, loss of form or poor combinations.

Fans are now waiting to see what decisions Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders take before the next season begins.

While official announcements have not yet been made, reports suggest that leadership discussions have already started behind the scenes as franchises begin planning for the future.