IPL 2027 Captaincy Changes: 5 Teams May Get New Skippers
The IPL 2027 season may see big changes in leadership. Up to five teams could have new captains when the season starts. The retention deadline of November 15, 2026 is getting close. Teams are thinking hard about who should lead them. The Indian Premier League has always loved captaincy drama, and this season is no different.
Captaincy is the most talked about topic in the IPL. A good captain can change the fate of a team. A wrong call can waste a whole season. That is why every franchise takes this decision with great care. This time, the musical chairs may involve some of the biggest teams in the league.
Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals are the teams where change looks possible. Let us break down each situation. The cricket news around captaincy is heating up with every passing day.
Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya vs Rohit Sharma
The biggest captaincy story is at Mumbai Indians. Hardik Pandya has led the team for three seasons. But the results have been poor. Mumbai Indians missed the playoffs twice in three years under his leadership. The team finished ninth in IPL 2026. Fans are unhappy. Experts are asking tough questions.
Reports suggest the management is thinking about bringing Rohit Sharma back as captain. Rohit led Mumbai Indians to all five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020. He is the most successful captain in the history of the franchise. Many fans want him back in charge.
But there are conflicting reports. Some reports say the management has decided to keep Hardik Pandya as captain. Trade talks around Hardik collapsed in October. That suggests the team still backs him. Other reports say no final decision has been made.
This is a tricky call for Mumbai Indians. Removing Hardik may hurt team unity. Keeping him may anger the fans. The management must choose between loyalty and results. The next few weeks will decide the future of the biggest franchise in the league.
Lucknow Super Giants: Aiden Markram Is the Front Runner
Lucknow Super Giants need a new captain after the Rishabh Pant trade. Pant moved back to Delhi Capitals in a blockbuster swap. Kuldeep Yadav came to Lucknow in return. The trade left the captain chair empty.
Aiden Markram is the front runner for the job. The South Africa star has opened up about the captaincy. He said leading an IPL team is a great honour. He is ready for the role if the management trusts him.
Markram has strong leadership experience. He led Sunrisers Hyderabad in the past. He leads South Africa in white ball cricket. He is calm under pressure. He backs his players. These are the qualities Lucknow needs after two poor seasons.
The team finished seventh in IPL 2025 and tenth in IPL 2026 under Pant. A fresh leader may bring fresh energy. Markram could be the man to turn things around for Lucknow.
Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel or a New Face
Delhi Capitals have many options for the captaincy. Axar Patel led the team in IPL 2026. He did a decent job. But the team has gone through big changes. Sourav Ganguly is the new head coach. Yuvraj Singh is the new assistant coach. Rishabh Pant is back in the squad.
With Pant back, some fans want him as captain again. He led Delhi Capitals from 2021 to 2024. He knows the team well. But the management may want to look ahead. Pant is now a senior batter, not necessarily the leader.
Axar Patel may continue. He is respected in the dressing room. He leads by example. But the new coaching staff may have other ideas. The JSW group now controls the team operations. They may want their own captain for the new era.
Delhi Capitals have never won the IPL title. The team wants to end the wait in 2027. The captaincy call will be key to that dream.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Uncertainty Around Leadership
Kolkata Knight Riders are another team with captaincy questions. The team had a poor IPL 2026 season. The leadership looked flat in many games. The management is thinking about a change.
KKR have a history of bold captaincy calls. The team removed big names in the past when results did not come. The owners want a team that fights for the title every year. If the current leader cannot deliver, a change will happen.
The team has senior players who can take over. The auction may also bring new leadership options. KKR fans are waiting for a clear announcement. The team management has stayed silent so far.
Teams With Settled Captaincy
Not every team has drama. Six teams look settled with their captains for IPL 2027.
Chennai Super Kings will continue with Ruturaj Gaikwad. The young batter has the full backing of the management even after the coaching change that brought in Zaheer Khan. Gujarat Titans will continue with Shubman Gill. Punjab Kings will continue with Shreyas Iyer. Rajasthan Royals will continue with Riyan Parag. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will continue with Rajat Patidar after the title win. Sunrisers Hyderabad will continue with Pat Cummins.
These teams believe in stability. They feel changing the captain too often hurts the team culture. They want to build long term plans around their leaders.
Captaincy Table: Who Stays and Who May Go
| Team | Current or Likely Captain | Status for IPL 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya or Rohit Sharma | Uncertain, big decision pending |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Aiden Markram | Likely new captain |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel or Rishabh Pant | Under review after coaching changes |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | To be decided | Uncertain after poor season |
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Settled, will continue |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | Settled, will continue |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | Settled, will continue |
| Rajasthan Royals | Riyan Parag | Settled, will continue |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Rajat Patidar | Settled after title win |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | Settled, will continue |
FAQ
Which IPL teams may change captains for IPL 2027?
Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals may change captains for IPL 2027. Up to five teams could have new skippers.
Will Rohit Sharma become Mumbai Indians captain again?
Reports are conflicting. Some reports say MI management wants Rohit Sharma back as captain. Other reports say no final decision has been made and Hardik Pandya may continue.
Who will be the captain of Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2027?
Aiden Markram is the front runner for the Lucknow Super Giants captaincy. He has opened up about the role and has strong leadership experience with South Africa.
Who will captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2027?
Delhi Capitals have not decided yet. Axar Patel led the team in IPL 2026. With Rishabh Pant back in the squad and a new coaching staff, the management is reviewing the options.
Which teams have settled captains for IPL 2027?
Chennai Super Kings (Ruturaj Gaikwad), Gujarat Titans (Shubman Gill), Punjab Kings (Shreyas Iyer), Rajasthan Royals (Riyan Parag), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Rajat Patidar), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (Pat Cummins) have settled captains.
