IPL 2026: Pant, Patel, Rahane Face Axe Amid Franchise Overhaul
Reports suggest Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Ajinkya Rahane are likely to be stripped of their IPL captaincy after disappointing 2026 seasons, following their teams' poor performances and playoff eliminations.
Key Highlights
- Three IPL captains face dismissal after dismal 2026 season performances.
- Rishabh Pant (LSG), Axar Patel (DC), Ajinkya Rahane (KKR) identified.
- Lucknow Super Giants officially eliminated from playoffs race.
- Delhi Capitals, KKR also on brink of elimination.
- Report cites PTI, widely corroborated by multiple news outlets.
- Leadership and individual performance under intense scrutiny across seasons.
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season is witnessing a major shake-up in team leadership, with strong reports indicating that captains of three prominent franchises – Rishabh Pant of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Axar Patel of Delhi Capitals (DC), and Ajinkya Rahane of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – are set to be sacked from their roles. This development comes after what has been described as a 'humiliating' 2026 season for their respective teams, with the tournament nearing its conclusion on May 31.
The news, initially reported by Press Trust of India (PTI) and subsequently corroborated by multiple credible Indian news outlets including India TV News, Cricket Addictor, Times Now, InsideSport, and News24, highlights a potential 'bloodbath' in captaincy changes. While the term 'bloodbath' might be a sensationalized descriptor, the widespread nature of the reports about significant leadership overhauls suggests a serious reckoning within these franchises.
Lucknow Super Giants, under the captaincy of Rishabh Pant, has already been officially eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs, making them the first team to exit the competition. Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are also considered to be practically or very likely out of contention for the playoffs. The consistent underperformance of these teams across the 2025 and 2026 seasons is cited as the primary reason for the impending captaincy changes.
**Rishabh Pant's Leadership Under Scrutiny:**
Since taking over captaincy last year, Rishabh Pant has faced intense pressure. Reports suggest that LSG's difficult IPL 2026 season has led to scrutiny over Pant's captaincy and batting form. Commentators like Tom Moody have admitted that the pressure of leadership and high expectations might be affecting the star wicketkeeper-batter. Furthermore, the team's internal dynamics have been questioned, with discussions about 'too many minds' influencing decisions within the LSG setup. LSG's struggle is evident in their dismal home record, having lost eight consecutive matches under Pant's leadership. Former India batter Wasim Jaffer even suggested replacing Pant with Aiden Markram as captain for LSG.
**Axar Patel's Challenging Stint with Delhi Capitals:**
Axar Patel, leading the Delhi Capitals, has also endured a challenging IPL 2026 season, both as a captain and an all-rounder. His individual statistics, including scoring only 100 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 112.50 and picking up just 10 wickets in 12 games at an economy rate of 8.08, make for poor reading for a player often batting in the top five. The Capitals have struggled with inconsistency, and while they remain mathematically alive, their playoff chances are slim. Axar has also faced criticism for publicly pointing fingers at teammates, with former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif questioning his leadership maturity.
**Ajinkya Rahane's Struggles with Kolkata Knight Riders:**
Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy of Kolkata Knight Riders has been under intense fire due to the team's ongoing poor performance and lack of consistency across the 2025 and 2026 seasons. KKR has experienced a significant winless streak under his leadership, leading to strong fan backlash and calls for a change in leadership. Despite some flashes of individual brilliance, the team has repeatedly faltered in crucial moments, with a winning percentage of just 26.31% under Rahane's captaincy over 19 matches. There have even been suggestions of replacing Rahane mid-season, with names like Sunil Narine being floated as potential successors.
The IPL 2026 season, which commenced on March 28 and is scheduled to conclude on May 31, has seen these teams perform significantly below expectations. The impending captaincy changes underscore the high-pressure environment of the IPL, where consistent success is paramount, and patience for underperforming leadership is limited. The franchises are reportedly looking for fresh faces and strategic overhauls to improve their fortunes in the upcoming seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which IPL captains are reportedly facing removal after the 2026 season?
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals), and Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders) are reportedly set to be removed from their captaincy roles.
Why are these captains likely to be sacked?
The captains are facing removal due to the disappointing performances of their respective teams in the IPL 2026 season, including failure to qualify for the playoffs.
Has any team already been eliminated from IPL 2026?
Yes, Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant, has been officially eliminated from the IPL 2026 playoffs. Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders are also highly likely to be eliminated.
When did the IPL 2026 season conclude or is it concluding?
The IPL 2026 season commenced on March 28 and is scheduled to conclude with the grand final on May 31, 2026.
Are there other captains also under scrutiny for their leadership in IPL 2026?
While the primary focus is on Pant, Patel, and Rahane, some reports also indicate that other captains like Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings) are under pressure.