According to the media reports, franchises like Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders could part ways with their captains after disappointing IPL 2026 campaigns. All three teams have struggled throughout the season and either crashed out of the playoff race or are on the verge of elimination.
The report claimed that captains Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Ajinkya Rahane are under pressure after failing to guide their teams into the playoffs for two successive seasons.
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LSG became the first team to be knocked out, while Delhi and Kolkata have also failed to stay in contention. Pant, who was bought for a massive INR 27 crore, has failed both as a batter and a captain. He has scored just 251 runs in 11 matches and several tactical decisions made by him have also been questioned. Players like Aiden Markram and Ayush Badoni were shuffled frequently in the batting order, while Shahbaz Ahmed remained underused.
The PTI report suggested that captaincy may not suit Pant, adding that the burden of leadership appears to be affecting his batting performances as well. Under Pant, LSG have managed only nine wins in 25 games.
Meanwhile, Axar Patel’s captaincy stint at Delhi Capitals has also come under scrutiny. Despite having a strong squad on paper, DC have delivered inconsistent performances. Axar’s own form with the bat remained poor for most of the tournament, while his bowling usage also raised questions.
As for KKR, Rahane’s appointment was reportedly a “There Is No Alternative” decision. Injuries and inconsistent batting combinations affected the defending champions heavily. While Rahane is respected as a leader, his strike rate and overall impact in T20 cricket this season failed to inspire confidence.
