Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to begin on March 22, promising yet another high-intensity season of cricket. The opening match will be played between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai.
With all ten franchises making key changes in their squads and management, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians have announced new captains, while Rishabh Pant is expected to return as the skipper of Delhi Capitals.
Here’s a look at the Top 10 Best Captains in IPL 2025, ranked based on their leadership skills, past records, and impact on the game.
Top 10 Captains in IPL 2025
10. Shikhar Dhawan (Punjab Kings)
Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan will continue to lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. Despite missing a few games last season due to injury, he remains a key player. Under his captaincy, Punjab has played 22 matches, winning 8 and losing 14. This season will be a crucial test for him to take PBKS to the playoffs.
9. Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
After missing IPL 2023 due to injury, Shreyas Iyer is back to lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With 55 matches as a captain, including his stint with Delhi Capitals (DC), Iyer has secured 27 victories. With the recent controversy surrounding his exclusion from BCCI’s central contract, he will aim to prove himself as a valuable leader.
8. Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)
Rishabh Pant makes a highly anticipated return after recovering from his car accident. His absence in IPL 2023 affected Delhi Capitals (DC), which finished 9th under David Warner. Having won 16 out of 30 matches as captain, Pant’s leadership will be vital for DC’s success in IPL 2025.
7. Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals)
Sanju Samson has been captaining Rajasthan Royals (RR) for multiple seasons now, showing mixed results. In 45 matches, he has won 22 games and lost 23. Despite leading RR to the IPL 2022 final, he has been inconsistent. In 2025, he will aim to improve RR’s performance and push for another final appearance.
6. Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans)
Making his captaincy debut, Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new leader of Gujarat Titans (GT) after Hardik Pandya returned to Mumbai Indians. While he lacks experience as a captain, his strategic mindset and top form make him a promising choice. With Kane Williamson, David Miller, and Matthew Wade as experienced guides, Gill’s leadership will be closely watched in IPL 2025.
5. Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
After Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) struggled with multiple captains in the past three seasons, they have now entrusted Pat Cummins with the leadership role. The 2023 ODI World Cup-winning captain for Australia has proved his tactical brilliance. If he replicates his international success, he could lead SRH to an IPL title, joining Adam Gilchrist and David Warner as Australian captains to do so.
4. KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants)
KL Rahul returns as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain after missing most of IPL 2023 due to injury. Despite his recent fitness struggles, Rahul remains an impactful leader, having led LSG to two consecutive playoff qualifications. With his current form in international cricket, he could take LSG beyond the playoffs this season.
3. Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Despite Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) never winning an IPL title, their fan following has grown under Faf du Plessis’ leadership. Since taking over in 2022, he has led 27 matches, winning 14. Known for his aggressive captaincy and ability to lead from the front, Du Plessis will be eager to break RCB’s title drought in IPL 2025.
2. Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)
One of the most controversial yet strategic captaincy moves, Hardik Pandya has replaced Rohit Sharma as the new captain of Mumbai Indians (MI). Having led Gujarat Titans to an IPL title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023, Pandya is a proven leader. His ability to handle pressure situations and contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for MI.
1. MS Dhoni (Chennai Super Kings)
No list of IPL captains is complete without the legendary MS Dhoni. Leading Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the inception of IPL, Dhoni has guided them to five IPL titles and 10 finals. His captaincy record of 133 wins in 226 matches is the highest in IPL history. Despite battling injuries, he led CSK to victory in IPL 2023, and fans are hopeful for another magical season in 2025.
Final Thoughts
With IPL 2025 around the corner, each of these captains will play a crucial role in determining their team’s fate. Will Hardik Pandya justify MI’s decision? Can Faf du Plessis finally end RCB’s title drought? Or will MS Dhoni work his magic once again?
Stay tuned as the IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22 with exciting matchups and thrilling performances!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is the best captain in IPL history?
A: MS Dhoni holds the record for the most wins and IPL titles, making him the best captain in IPL history.
Q2: Who is the new captain of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025?
A: Hardik Pandya has replaced Rohit Sharma as the captain of Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025.
Q3: Which IPL team has the most successful captain?
A: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under MS Dhoni has been the most successful team with five IPL titles and 12 playoff qualifications.
Q4: Will Shubman Gill be a good captain for Gujarat Titans?
A: Although inexperienced, Gill’s form and cricketing intelligence make him a promising leader for GT in IPL 2025.