Former India batter and well-known commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has argued that IPL franchises should be more open to appointing overseas captains, saying the deciding factor ought to be leadership quality rather than where a player comes from. Speaking on the Sportstar podcast, he pointed to recent seasons where Indian skippers have not always delivered, using that as evidence that nationality by itself does not automatically translate into success in T20 cricket.
Manjrekar’s core message: choose the best leader, not just the local one
Manjrekar said the captaincy record in the IPL has shown that teams cannot assume effectiveness based purely on a player being Indian. He referenced the struggles of several Indian leaders in recent campaigns, highlighting that even high-profile names have sometimes fallen short of expectations.
- He noted that Indian captains have faced difficulty in certain seasons, stressing that there have been “quite a few” instances where they “haven’t quite delivered.”
- He specifically cited Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant as examples of players who have been mentioned in the context of leadership outcomes in the league.
Why overseas leadership can work in T20
The former batter believes T20 demands teams to identify the most effective captain available, regardless of whether the role is filled by a domestic or international player. In his view, the shorter format requires practical leadership impact more than it requires any specific national identity.
- Manjrekar said his approach is straightforward: “in T20 cricket, you need the best captain available.”
- He argued that if the most suitable option happens to be a foreign player, the franchise should go ahead with that choice.
- He cited examples of successful overseas captains, including David Warner and Pat Cummins.
Brand value versus winning titles: the real dilemma for franchises
While he pushed for leadership-first decisions, Manjrekar also acknowledged that IPL teams often take commercial considerations into account when selecting captains. He said there is a widely understood non-cricketing reason franchises frequently lean toward Indian skippers.
- He explained that an Indian captain can become the public face of the franchise, which helps strengthen the brand.
- He added that franchises need to weigh what benefits their identity and what improves their chances of lifting trophies.
Captaincy’s impact on fan identity
Manjrekar further emphasised that captaincy influences how supporters and the wider audience perceive a franchise, particularly in a league where brand value and attention matter. He pointed out that having an Indian captain can naturally attract more attention and shape a different team narrative.
- He highlighted that the IPL is also “about brand value,” and that an Indian captain often draws greater focus.
- He mentioned how linking a franchise with Rishabh Pant, or Virat Kohli leading RCB in the past, creates a distinct dynamic that can strengthen the team’s identity.
With these comments, Manjrekar’s stance is set to add fresh fuel to the continuing debate over whether IPL franchises should prioritise leadership credentials or marketing impact when choosing their captains.
