5 IPL Captains Who Can Lead International Teams

Captaincy during IPL 2025 always gives the new players a chance to get ready under pressure. That’s helpful for the individual to do well in the future for the national side.

Leading any franchise in the IPL isn’t an easy job, with the focus remaining on the players’ contribution. There are a few captains who have done well this season and are expected to lead the national side in the future.

Here are the five IPL captains who can lead international teams

5. Rishabh Pant (LSG)

The Lucknow Super Giants’ captain, Rishabh Pant, was excellent in the last few seasons of the league. He has handled the pressure beautifully, whether it’s in the bowling department or the field positions.

The southpaw didn’t contribute much for the franchise this year with 269 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.16, thanks to one half-century and one century at the best score of unbeaten 118 runs against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Also Read: 3 Undeserving Players Who Were Picked In India Test Squad for England

Pant, who led the Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2021, can captain the Indian side across formats. He also got the vice-captaincy in the Test format for the upcoming England tour.

4. Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK)

For a long time, MS Dhoni captained India and the Chennai Super Kings and carried them to success. Now, it’s the turn for a young opening batter, Ruturaj Gaikwad, to repeat the same stature.

Gaikwad earned the captaincy of the franchise during the last season and was excellent in the group-stage encounters. They failed to qualify for the playoffs of the tournament, but Gaikwad’s captaincy in handling the bowlers in various situations and giving them freedom was phenomenal.

The right-handed batter smashed 583 runs last year in 14 innings at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 141.16, thanks to four half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 108 runs.

3. Axar Patel (DC)

Not many predicted Axar Patel could do well in the leadership department of the IPL 2025 for the Delhi Capitals. He is the veteran all-rounder of the side and has done fabulously well in putting the right players in the right place, besides using his cards the best.

Axar, the 31-year-old, contributed 263 runs in 11 innings of the season at an average of 26.30 and a strike rate of 157.48, with the best score of 43 runs. In the bowling department, the left-arm spinner picked up five wickets in 11 innings at an economy rate of 8.47.

2. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS)

The Punjab Kings' captain, Shreyas Iyer, has shown all the proof of the best leadership skills. He finished the IPL 2025 as the leading run-getter of the franchise with 514 runs in 14 innings, thanks to five half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 97 runs.

Also Read: 3 Opening Combinations India Can Try In England Tests

Iyer has brought calmness and given the players freedom to play their natural game throughout the season. Under him, Punjab qualified for the playoffs of the IPL 2025 for the first time in 10 years. In the future, if required, Iyer can undoubtedly be the Indian captain.

1. Riyan Parag (RR)

Riyan Parag led the Rajasthan Royals during the 2025 season of the IPL when Sanju Samson was injured and couldn’t participate in the tournament.

The 23-year-old drilled 393 runs in 14 innings this season at an average of 32.75 and a strike rate of 166.52, thanks to the best score of 95 runs. He is a young player and showed his calmness and leadership to captain India in the future.