The countdown to IPL 2025 has begun, and the buzz is already electric. All ten franchises have kicked off their preparations, unveiling their new strategies and, in some cases, new leadership. With Lucknow Super Giants entrusting Rishabh Pant, Punjab Kings banking on Shreyas Iyer, RCB handing the reins to Rajat Patidar, and Delhi Capitals looking to Axar Patel, a fresh wave of captains is set to take charge. The stage is set for an exciting 18th season, which begins on March 22.
Mumbai &amp; Chennai: The Blueprint for Success
Over the years, two franchises have stood tall above the rest&mdash;Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, both five-time champions. Their success isn&rsquo;t just about star players or big-ticket buys; it&rsquo;s about stability in leadership. Mumbai&rsquo;s five titles came under Rohit Sharma, while Chennai&rsquo;s were all won under the legendary MS Dhoni. Their teams backed them even through rough patches, showing faith in their leadership and long-term vision.
Contrast this with the franchises that have treated captaincy like a game of musical chairs. Several teams have shuffled captains multiple times, hoping for a turnaround, but their fortunes have remained largely unchanged.
The Curse of Constant Captaincy Changes
Some teams just can&rsquo;t seem to settle on a leader. Take Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab), for instance. The franchise has changed captains a staggering 17 times since the IPL&rsquo;s inception, yet the trophy has remained elusive. Now, they&rsquo;ve turned to Shreyas Iyer for IPL 2025&mdash;will he finally be the one to break their title drought?
Similarly, Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) have had 15 different captains but have never lifted the IPL trophy. This year, Axar Patel takes the helm, and the franchise will be hoping his leadership can bring about a long-awaited change in fortunes.
Then there&rsquo;s Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team that once tasted victory in 2016 under David Warner. Since their inception in 2013, they have rotated through 11 different captains. Despite reaching the final in 2024 under Pat Cummins, their constant leadership changes have often left them struggling for consistency.
Will the New Captains Deliver?
As IPL 2025 approaches, these teams are once again banking on fresh leadership to turn things around. But history suggests that success in the IPL isn&rsquo;t just about getting a new captain&mdash;it&rsquo;s about backing them through ups and downs. Will Punjab, Delhi, and RCB finally break free from the cycle of inconsistency? Or will Mumbai and Chennai&rsquo;s tried-and-tested formula of stability continue to dominate?
One thing is certain: IPL 2025 is set to be a thrilling ride, and the impact of these captaincy changes will be one of the biggest talking points of the season.

KKR will take on RCB in the first match of the season next week

Teams shuffle captains yet again—will fresh faces bring success or repeat past failures?

New Captains, Old Problems? IPL 2025's Leadership Gamble

Teams shuffle captains yet again—will fresh faces bring success or repeat past failures?

March 15, 2025 | 15:47 IST