Three IPL captains are reportedly facing a possible change in leadership roles after the conclusion of the 2026 season, with a disappointing campaign this year putting their futures under a cloud. Among the names mentioned is Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant, who has struggled to deliver consistently since joining the franchise, and Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel, whose captaincy and overall form have both come under increasing scrutiny.
Key takeaways
- Rishabh Pant’s leadership at Lucknow is said to be in jeopardy after the team were knocked out early from playoff contention.
- Lucknow’s season featured a drop from six wins last year to just three this year, ending with a first-ever exit from the playoff race.
- Pant’s recent T20 batting output has been modest, with an average of 25 across the last two seasons and a strike rate of 136.
- Delhi Capitals are still mathematically in the hunt but sit precariously with five wins from 12 matches, raising questions over Axar Patel’s captaincy.
- Axar’s batting and bowling returns this season have been underwhelming, with 100 runs in nine innings and 10 wickets from 36 overs at an economy of 8.08.
Why Rishabh Pant is being singled out
Lucknow began this year after a seventh-place finish in the previous season, where they had won six matches. This time, their tally was cut in half, and they were also the first side to be ruled out of playoff contention. With the elimination confirmed earlier this week, a report flagged Pant as the most visible scapegoat for the franchise’s poor show across two seasons.
At the mega auction ahead of the 2025 campaign, Pant was acquired for INR 27 crore, but his two-season stretch in T20 cricket has been far from the level expected. Over the past two seasons, his batting average has slipped to 25, while his strike rate has read 136. While he did reach a century in 2025, that knock arrived in a dead rubber, and this season he managed only one half-century.
The report also pointed to a lack of stability in his role, noting that Pant did not have a consistent batting position throughout the tournament. It further highlighted that he has managed just nine sixes in 11 games, a return that has not matched the scale of the investment made for him.
From praise to pressure at Lucknow
When Pant was brought to Lucknow, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka was effusive in his support. He reportedly compared the India star’s IPL legacy to the bracket occupied by MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, and the confidence was reflected in the decision to pay close to three times Pant’s base price at the mega auction in late 2024.
However, the same report suggests that patience has now run out. The idea is that if an owner is prepared to invest that heavily, there is a reasonable expectation of steadier performances rather than dips in output and impact.
Beyond batting numbers, tactical concerns have also been raised. One example cited was the decision to use Arshin Kulkarni as an opener, despite his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy strike rate hovering around 134. In that role, his return of 17 runs from 24 balls in the modern T20 context drew questions. Similar criticism surrounded the repeated backing of Himmat Singh—whose domestic T20 strike rate barely passes 130—and the use of Ayush Badoni in top-order positions despite his limited power-hitting profile.
Axar Patel’s captaincy under threat at Delhi Capitals
Along with Pant, Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel is also reported to be unlikely to keep the captain’s role beyond this IPL season. Delhi are still mathematically in the playoff race, but their record is worrying: they have won only five matches from 12 and appear close to being eliminated.
Axar, who has been part of India’s squads that won the T20 World Cup twice, has struggled to find rhythm in this campaign. With the bat, he has scored 100 runs across nine innings, striking at 112.50. That total includes one fifty—a knock of 56—while the remaining 44 runs came from eight other innings, even though he has typically batted in the top five.
His bowling output has not offered the kind of lift expected either. He has delivered 36 overs in the tournament—exactly three overs per match—taking 10 wickets while conceding at an economy rate of 8.08.
Ownership cycles and leadership dependence
The report also noted that Delhi Capitals operate under a dual-ownership structure involving JSW and GMR, which means cricket operations can alternate between cycles. The next season is expected to see Parth Jindal and JSW take charge, and sources suggest this transition could make Axar’s captaincy more uncertain, especially given concerns about how much on-field decision-making has relied on coaching staff.
An IPL source tracking developments, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if Axar has not managed to establish his captaincy credentials and has largely depended on Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao for decision-making, it would be a surprise if he retained the role next year. The same source added that the entire coaching staff is also unlikely to continue.
Some of Axar’s tactical decisions have also been questioned. The continued omission of Abhishek Porel and all-rounder Madhav Tiwari has been cited, along with the decision to bring Sahil Parakh into high-pressure situations despite him being out of form and being asked to do more than his usual remit.
Even if Axar’s captaincy is expected to end, the report suggests he is likely to remain in the squad as a player.
