With the present IPL season inexorably entering into its final phases, at least three teams have so far lost the opportunity to enter the playoffs. KKR suffered a defeat at the hands of CSK by two wickets in a nail-biting finish, which practically hurt their chances of playing the playoffs. Following this defeat, KKR is currently sitting in 6th position, with 12 games and 11 points accumulated. The captain Ajinkya Rahane has also faced criticism for not effectively using Andre Russell. While some ardent spectators believe he should be sacked, let us look at three other captains who could be on the chopping block ahead of IPL 2026.
1. Rishabh Pant
The IPL 2026 auction will probably see Rishabh Pant as one of the chief names to be released. Being the most expensive player in IPL history, at 27 crores, he certainly did not live up to his price tag. This season has been his most difficult time both as a player and as a captain. LSG, who have debuted in 2022, were great the previous couple of years, but this year the balance is tilted in favor of the opposing teams, sitting 7th with just 5 wins from 11 matches. Pant himself has been in the doldrums, managing only 128 runs in 10 innings at an abysmal average of 12.80. If it continues like this, then they better marshal that money well next season.
2. Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane had been performing well with the bat, but his captaincy has been questioned in light of KKR’s poor showing as they sit at 6th on the table after the matches that transpired. Joining the fray, the fans are agitated over how rarely Rahane has used Andre Russell. Russell is an all-rounder and has shown he can deliver. Russell was promoted higher up the batting order in the last two games and did well, putting forth a notable performance against the Rajasthan Royals; however, Rahane hasn’t allowed him to bowl and complete his quota of overs. There is even talk about Rahane’s appointment as captain, given that he was bought on the second day of the mega auction itself. It would not be surprising if KKR decide to let him go for IPL 2026.
3. MS Dhoni
For MS Dhoni, this might be his final season, with retirement planned for post-IPL 2025. Dhoni rode the wave early in the season when Ruturaj Gaikwad was absent, but some of his fan-baiting decisions around the batting order using Noor Ahmad have raised some eyebrows. Keeping in mind the return of Gaikwad in IPL 2026 and the induction of new faces, including Dewald Brevis, in the middle of the season, maybe it is about time Dhoni started considering retirement.
