IPL 2026: Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel & Ajinkya Rahane Could Lose Captaincy After Poor Season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not only about emotions and fan support, but also about results. Franchise owners spend huge money on building squads and naturally expect success in return. When teams fail to perform, managements are forced to take tough decisions, even if big names are involved. That is why reports of Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel and Ajinkya Rahane possibly losing captaincy after IPL 2026 are not very surprising.

According to a PTI report, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) could look for leadership changes after disappointing campaigns this season. All three teams have struggled badly in IPL 2026 and are currently among the bottom sides on the points table.

“Three IPL captains are in the line of fire due to campaigns that have been nothing short of disastrous and they could end up losing their jobs when the season winds up later this month,” the PTI report stated.

Franchises Unhappy With Captains’ Performances

LSG became the first team to be officially knocked out of the playoff race, while Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are also close to elimination. The report further mentioned that franchise managements are unhappy with the overall performances under the current captains.

“Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant have captained for two successive seasons and failed miserably in their bid to take their respective teams into the playoffs,” the report added.

Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel are among the highest-paid players in their teams, which naturally increases pressure and expectations on them. Both players failed to guide their teams into strong playoff positions despite having quality squads. Their own performances also came under criticism during different stages of the tournament.

Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, brought experience and calmness as KKR captain. However, Kolkata struggled with injuries throughout the season and failed to maintain consistency. Despite Rahane’s reputation as a dependable leader, KKR could not deliver the results expected by the franchise.

While no official announcement has been made yet, IPL 2026 could end with major leadership changes at LSG, DC and KKR as franchises review another disappointing season.

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