IPL 2025 Captains: From Virat Kohli to Rishabh Pant, who's leading your favourite team?

NEW DELHI: With the two-day mega auction having concluded in Jeddah, the captains for the IPL 2025 season have been confirmed for most teams, with a few still awaiting official announcements.

Here's a look at the captains for IPL 2025:

Virat Kohli (RCB): With Faf du Plessis not being retained ahead of the auction, speculation was rife that Virat Kohli will return to lead the side he has been a part of since IPL 2008. And the reports almost got confirmed when Royal Challengers Bangalore did not buy any cricketer with captaincy credentials at the auction.

Kohli's return to leadership is seen as both a tactical and emotional move, leveraging his deep connection with the team and fan base. RCB fans are hopeful that his experience and aggressive leadership style can lead the franchise to its first IPL title.

Kohli had previously captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, achieving mixed results, including reaching the final in 2016. This new stint is viewed as a chance for redemption and to reinvigorate the team's performance.

Hardik Pandya (MI): Hardik Pandya is set to captain the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. He was retained by the franchise for Rs 16.35 crore after being appointed captain in 2024, succeeding Rohit Sharma.

Despite a challenging 2024 season where Mumbai finished at the bottom of the points table, Pandya retained the management's trust due to his leadership skills and subsequent strong performances for India, including a key role in the T20 World Cup victory.

Mumbai Indians are counting on Pandya's experience and form to revitalize the team and compete strongly in the 2025 season.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to captain Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2025, having taken over the leadership from MS Dhoni before the 2024 season.

Under Gaikwad's captaincy, CSK is focused on building a team for the future while maintaining its legacy. Dhoni remains part of the team as a retained player, offering his experience and support to the new leadership.

Gaikwad's consistent performances for CSK and leadership experience, including success with India's T20 squad, make him a promising captain for the franchise.

Pat Cummins (SRH): Pat Cummins has been confirmed as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the IPL 2025 season. This decision follows his impactful leadership in IPL 2024, where SRH reached the finals but lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Cummins has been integral to SRH's success, with the franchise retaining him alongside key players like Heinrich Klaasen, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, and Travis Head.

The franchise announced Cummins' captaincy with enthusiasm, emphasizing his leadership qualities and their trust in his ability to guide the team for another successful campaign.

Venkatesh Iyer (KKR):

All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was bought back by Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 23.75 crore at the IPL mega auction in Jeddah.

Iyer is speculated to take on the captaincy challenge and step into Shreyas Iyer 's shoes.

Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise went for an all out bidding war against Royal Challengers Bengaluru to secure Venkatesh after choosing not to retain their 2024 IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer.

Venkatesh had previously served as vice-captain and even captained KKR in Nitish Rana's absence.

Shubman Gill (GT): Shubman Gill will continue as the captain of the Gujarat Titans for IPL 2025. Despite challenges in his first season as skipper, where the team finished eighth in IPL 2024, Gill remains committed to improving the squad.

Under his leadership, Gujarat Titans aim to retain key players like Rashid Khan and strengthen their core group for better performance this season.

Gill's leadership and batting form will be pivotal as GT seeks a turnaround. The team is looking forward to leveraging his talent and strategic insights in their quest for IPL success.

KL Rahul (DC): KL Rahul was acquired by Delhi Capitals for Rs 14 crore during the IPL 2025 auction. His inclusion was a significant move, with multiple teams including Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings bidding for him.

Despite some concerns about his recent form, Rahul's proven IPL track record, which includes over 4,600 runs and four centuries, make him a valuable asset.

Experts believe Rahul is worth much more than Rs 14 crore DC paid, suggesting he should have been valued at around Rs 20-22 crore. Experts also predicted that Rahul would likely take over the captaincy of Delhi Capitals, considering the value he brings both as a player and a leader.

But there are also reports that DC may ask Axar Patel to lead the team in some matches as well.

Rishabh Pant (LSG): Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL 2025 history when he was bought by Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crore. This high bid eclipsed the previous record of Rs 26.75 crore set by Shreyas Iyer in the same auction. The bidding for Pant was intense, with LSG eventually securing him after a heated contest with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

Pant is expected to lead LSG in IPL 2025. Pant's leadership is seen as a key factor for LSG's success. The team, which had previously been under the captaincy of KL Rahul, will now look to Pant to bring stability and growth.

Shreyas Iyer (PBKS): Shreyas Iyer was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him the second most expensive player in IPL history at the time.

Iyer's leadership experience, especially as the IPL 2024-winning captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, makes him a strong candidate for captaincy at PBKS.

The franchise, which was in need of a new leader after not retaining KL Rahul, is likely to appoint Iyer as the team's captain for the upcoming season.

Sanju Samson (RR): Sanju Samson will continue to lead Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. He has been instrumental in the team's strategy and has played a key role in the retention process, with RR opting to keep him as their captain.

Samson's leadership was crucial in guiding the team to the playoffs in IPL 2024, and he is expected to carry forward his role with the franchise in the upcoming season.

Samson's consistent performances as both a wicketkeeper-batter and a leader have solidified his position as a cornerstone of RR's strategy moving forward.