IPL 2026: 3 Captains who could be replaced after this season

IPL 2026 may well prove to be the final season for several captains who have failed to marshal their troops effectively. Their inability to lead from the front has cost their franchises dearly. Here are three leaders whose positions could be under serious threat.

1. Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders)

When Ajinkya Rahane was announced as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in the 19th edition of the IPL, it raised eyebrows. Rahane no longer captains his domestic side, Mumbai, in the shortest format, and is not in the plans of the national selectors. KKR’s punt was always risky, and the returns have been modest.

KKR have won six and lost six this season, leaving them in a tense four‑way battle for playoff qualification with only one game remaining. Rahane has not inspired confidence with his leadership. His batting has been equally underwhelming, with 272 runs at an average of 22.66 and a strike rate of 130.14. Two ducks and just one fifty underline his struggles.

2. Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians)

Mumbai Indians are already eliminated from playoff contention, languishing in ninth place with four wins and nine losses. Hardik Pandya has looked like a pale shadow of his former self. His tactical experiments in the bowling department have backfired repeatedly, leaving several experts baffled.

With the bat, Pandya has managed only 172 runs in nine games at an average of 21.50 and a strike rate of 128.35. His bowling has been worse, with just four wickets in nine innings while conceding runs at 11.42 per over. For a franchise that prides itself on success, this season has been a disaster under his watch.

3. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings)

Ruturaj Gaikwad has struggled to establish tactical authority in the absence of MS Dhoni. Some of his decisions have been baffling, such as selecting Matthew Short over Akeal Hosein against Sunrisers Hyderabad in match 27 and then deploying Short out of position in the middle order. CSK lost that game by 10 runs, and such missteps have defined their campaign.

CSK’s playoff fate is no longer in their control, and their poor away record, with only two wins in six matches, highlights their lack of preparation. Gaikwad’s batting has also been under scrutiny. He has scored 321 runs in 13 innings at an average of 29.18 and a strike rate of 120.67, with only two fifties. For a side built on consistency and legacy, this is far from the standard expected.