IPL 2026: Backup captains of all 10 teams

Published - 11 Mar 2026, 16:25 IST | Updated - 11 Mar 2026, 16:25 IST

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League is set to begin on March 28, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru entering the season as the defending champions. As always, the tournament promises high-intensity competition with franchises aiming to dominate the league with a refreshed squad setup.

While some teams have retained the core of their previous squads, others have made significant changes to strengthen their lineup. Leadership plays a crucial role in a tournament as competitive as the IPL. Several franchises have retained their captains, while a few have appointed new leaders ahead of the season.

Over the years, legendary captains such as MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli have set high standards with their leadership and contributions to their teams. At the same time, a new generation of players has stepped forward to take on leadership roles. However, injuries, workload management, or other unforeseen circumstances can sometimes force captains to miss games. In such scenarios, having a reliable backup captain becomes extremely important for any franchise.

Chennai Super Kings made headlines ahead of the 2026 season by trading Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals. It was considered one of the biggest trades in IPL history. The team will continue to be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who captained the side previously.

Gaikwad had led CSK in the previous season but was briefly sidelined due to injury, during which MS Dhoni stepped in to lead the team. With Gaikwad back as captain, Samson’s leadership experience makes him a strong candidate to act as the backup captain. Samson previously captained Rajasthan Royals and guided them to the final of the 2022 IPL season. Overall, he has scored 4704 runs in 177 IPL matches.