Top 5 captains of IPL 2026

The 2026 season of the Indian Premier League has come to a close, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defending their title after being the dominant team in the tournament.

The 2026 season has once again seen brilliant captains take the fore, leading their teams from the front on the field and with their contributions. Leaders have stepped up with tactical acumen, coming un clutch with their decision-making in moments of pressure.

It would be unfair not to include him in this list, as a major reason for Shreyas Iyer's recent appointment as the captain of the Indian Men's T20I side is his record in the IPL. Despite the Punjab Kings having a difficult season, the batter has had a good run as captain, contributing with key decisions and managing his resources brilliantly. He has helped establish the Punjab Kings as a top threat in the IPL and has formed a reliable partnership with coach Ricky Ponting.

Iyer has also contributed with vital runs in the season for the Kings. He scored 498 runs at a strike rate of 168.81, scoring five half-centuries and one century, his first in the IPL. He remained unbeaten with half-centuries against the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians and scored his century unbeaten in a chase against the Lucknow Super Giants, leading from the front with the bat.