As IPL 2026 comes close to its final stretches, discussions about the tournament's results will be replaced by talk of potential changes in the league's backstage leadership. The captains of three teams, including Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Ajinkya Rahane, are reportedly under pressure after campaigns that have left their franchises struggling for consistency and direction.
While Lucknow Super Giants are already out of playoff contention, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are also hanging by a thread, with growing questions over tactical calls, team balance and leadership impact. According to PTI, franchise insiders tracking developments believe all three teams could rethink their captaincy options ahead of next season.
Pant’s difficult season raises bigger questions
Among the three, Rishabh Pant’s position appears to be under the sharpest spotlight.
Lucknow Super Giants invested heavily in Pant ahead of the season, but the campaign has failed to deliver the turnaround the franchise expected. Pant has scored 251 runs in 11 matches at a strike-rate of 138, numbers that have fallen below expectations in a format increasingly defined by aggressive scoring.
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More concerning for the franchise has been the lack of tactical clarity. Several team selections and batting-order experiments have drawn criticism, including the decision to use Arshin Kulkarni as opener despite modest domestic T20 numbers.
Questions have also been raised around repeated opportunities for players like Himmat Singh and the use of Ayush Badoni higher up the order.
As per the report, franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka is known for demanding strong returns on investment, particularly after signing Pant on a high-value deal. Sources tracking IPL franchise developments told the agency that Pant’s future as captain is now uncertain, though he is expected to remain a key player for the side.
Axar’s numbers fail to support leadership case
Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel is also facing scrutiny after an inconsistent season that exposed concerns over both his personal form and tactical authority.
Axar has scored just 100 runs across nine innings, with more than half of those runs coming in a single knock. His bowling workload has also raised eyebrows, with the all-rounder averaging only three overs per game despite being one of the team’s senior spin options.
According to PTI, Delhi Capitals’ internal management structure could play a major role in what happens next. With JSW set to regain control of cricket operations next season from co-owners GMR, leadership decisions are expected to be reviewed closely.
A source tracking IPL development told PTI that Axar often appeared dependent on support staff members Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao during tactical calls. Several selection decisions, including the handling of Abhishek Porel and Madhav Tiwari, have reportedly not gone unnoticed within franchise circles.
Rahane’s old-school approach under fire
At Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy stint is increasingly being viewed as a stop-gap solution that failed to evolve with the demands of modern T20 cricket.
Rahane managed 237 runs at a strike-rate of 133 while batting in the top order. Alongside Angkrish Raghuvanshi, KKR often struggled to maintain momentum during powerplays and middle overs. The team’s conservative approach with the bat became one of the defining themes of their season.
As noted in the reports, Rahane’s appointment was largely driven by a lack of alternative leadership options, with Mumbai teammate Abhishek Nayar backing him within the setup. But with KKR failing to keep pace with more explosive batting line-ups, the franchise now faces questions about whether it needs a younger and more aggressive leadership direction.
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At 37, Rahane’s future in the IPL itself could become uncertain if KKR decide against retaining him beyond the season.
Bigger reset could be coming
The criticism directed at the trio indicates an overall trend emerging within the IPL as teams give more weight to tactical ability, positive batting approach, and leadership traits than reputation when it comes to signing players. As the next mega auction series approaches in 2027, franchises are starting to evaluate which pieces they would like to retain.
As far as the trio of Pant, Axar and Rahane is concerned, the last few matches of IPL 2026 might determine whether or not they will have bright careers ahead as leaders.
