IPL 2026: 3 Captains Likely to Lose Roles After Poor Season

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-05-15

Three IPL 2026 captains are facing a tough season as their teams struggle in one of their worst campaigns in recent memory. According to a PTI report, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Ajinkya Rahane are all expected to lose their captaincy at the end of the season later this month. The report cites sources tracking developments within the franchises. Of the three sides, Lucknow Super Giants are already out of the playoff race. Both Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals still have a mathematical chance, but both are expected to fall short of the top four. These captains are all in their second straight season without a playoff berth, and teams are losing patience. ### Rishabh Pant's Struggles Put LSG Future in Doubt Rishabh Pant entered IPL 2026 as the most expensive player in auction history, bought by LSG for close to $3 million. The returns haven't come close to justifying that price tag. Pant has scored 251 runs in 11 matches with a strike rate of 138. Those numbers are underwhelming by today's T20 standards. He's managed only nine sixes across those 11 games, which shows how much his natural aggression has faded. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenja is known for demanding results that match the investment, and two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance will be tough to overlook. Questions have also been raised about team selection and tactics under Pant's watch. Critics have pointed to his repeated use of players like Arshin Kulkarni and Ayush Badoni in positions that exposed their technical weaknesses. It's unclear whether those calls came from Pant or coach Justin Langer, but the captain ultimately carries the weight of the results. ### Axar Patel's Numbers Tell Their Own Story at Delhi Capitals Axar Patel has had a difficult season both as captain and as a player. He's scored only 100 runs across nine innings with a strike rate of 112.50. Here's the breakdown: - 56 of those runs came in a single knock - His remaining eight innings produced just 44 runs combined With the ball, Axar has bowled exactly three overs per game across 12 matches, picking up 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.08. While that economy isn't alarming, sources say he's consistently under-bowled himself at crucial moments. Delhi Capitals will see a management shift next season as JSW takes over cricket operations from GMR in their alternate ownership cycle. With Parth Jindal and JSW set to be in charge, there's a strong indication that both the captain and the coaching staff will face a full review. Axar's future as a player at the franchise seems safer, but his captaincy is far from secure. ### Rahane's Appointment at KKR Increasingly Looks Like a Mistake Ajinkya Rahane's appointment as KKR captain was largely a result of limited alternatives available to the franchise. His connection with head coach Abhishek Nayar helped seal the deal, but the results have been telling. Rahane has scored 237 runs at a strike rate of 133 while batting in the top three. Those numbers are simply too slow for the modern game. His top-order partner Angkrish Raghuvanshi hasn't helped either, scoring 340 runs at a strike rate just over 139. Together, they've combined for only 25 sixes in 11 matches. At 37, questions are now being raised about whether Rahane can keep up with what T20 cricket demands at the top level. Sources suggest that, unlike Pant and Axar who will remain in demand as players, Rahane may struggle to attract interest from any franchise at the next mini-auction unless KKR makes the unlikely decision to stick with him. ### What Comes Next for These Three Franchises With the mega auctions scheduled for 2027, all three franchises will have a chance to rebuild. Whatever happens with the captaincy, Pant and Axar will most likely continue as players. But Rahane's future in the league is uncertain. This season has been a wake-up call for these teams. They've invested heavily in leadership, but the returns haven't matched expectations. The pressure is on, and changes are coming. For fans, it's a reminder that in the IPL, performance is everything, and no captain is safe.