IPL 2026: Captains and Their Salaries Revealed

As IPL 2026 approaches, the excitement builds with the announcement of team captains and their salaries. The tournament kicks off on March 28, featuring Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Rajat Patidar. Sunrisers Hyderabad has appointed Ishan Kishan as their new captain, while Rajasthan Royals have chosen Riyan Parag. The salaries of the captains range significantly, with Rishabh Pant earning the highest at ₹27 crores. This article provides a detailed overview of all captains and their earnings, making it a must-read for cricket fans.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 19:57 IST

Overview of IPL 2026 Captains and Salaries

Captains and Their Salaries for IPL 2026: The IPL 2026 season is set to kick off on March 28, with the reigning champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), facing off against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match. RCB will be led by Rajat Patidar, while Sunrisers Hyderabad has made a captaincy change.

In a strategic move, Sunrisers Hyderabad has appointed Ishan Kishan as their captain for the initial matches of IPL 2026, replacing Pat Cummins. Additionally, after releasing Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals have named Riyan Parag as their new captain.

Captains of All 10 Teams for IPL 2026

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rajat Patidar

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad

Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane

Punjab Kings: Shreyas Iyer

Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya

Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins

Rajasthan Royals: Riyan Parag

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill

Lucknow Super Giants: Rishabh Pant

Salaries of Captains in IPL 2026

The IPL 2026 Mega Auction saw significant financial investments in players. The salaries of all captains are in crores. Rishabh Pant, captain of LSG, has been retained for ₹27 crores, while Shreyas Iyer's salary stands at ₹26.75 crores. Pat Cummins, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Riyan Parag each earn ₹18 crores, while Shubman Gill and Axar Patel receive ₹16.50 crores. Rajat Patidar's salary is ₹11 crores, and Ajinkya Rahane has the lowest salary at ₹1.50 crores. Among these ten captains, Rishabh Pant commands the highest salary, while Ajinkya Rahane has the lowest.