IPL's Troubling Trio: Will Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, and Ajinkya Rahane Keep Their Captaincy?

IPL Captains Under Pressure

New Delhi: Three IPL team captains are facing significant scrutiny due to their teams' disappointing performances, with potential job losses looming as the season concludes this month, according to sources familiar with franchise developments.

Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant have led their respective teams for two consecutive seasons but have struggled to secure playoff spots.

Currently, only the Lucknow Super Giants have been officially eliminated, making Pant the most prominent casualty of consecutive poor seasons.

However, both Kolkata Knight Riders, under Rahane's leadership, and Delhi Capitals, led by Axar, are also unlikely to advance to the playoffs.

Axar's performance as both a captain and player has been underwhelming. He has managed just 100 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 112.50, with 56 runs coming from a single innings and only 44 runs from the remaining eight innings, despite batting primarily in the top order.

In 12 matches, Axar has bowled a mere 36 overs, averaging three overs per game, and has taken 10 wickets with an economy rate of 8.08.

While his economy rate appears decent compared to fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav, Axar has frequently underutilized his bowling capabilities.

With the Delhi Capitals having a shared ownership structure between JSW and GMR, the upcoming season will see Parth Jindal and JSW overseeing cricket operations.

"Axar has not demonstrated effective leadership and has relied heavily on Hemang Badani and Venugopal Rao for decision-making. It would be surprising if he retains the captaincy next season," an IPL source revealed anonymously.

"The entire coaching staff is also likely to be replaced," the source added.

Decisions such as overlooking a dynamic player like Abhishek Porel, inconsistent use of all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, and placing an inexperienced player like Sahil Parakh in challenging situations have raised eyebrows.

While Parakh has potential, he is still developing.

With major auctions planned for 2027, Axar might still be retained as a player, but his leadership abilities remain questionable.

As control shifts from GMR to JSW, Axar's future as a captain is uncertain.

Rishabh Pant's Struggles

Not exactly 'Pant'tastic

In Pant's case, it is widely acknowledged in franchise cricket that captaincy does not suit him well.

He has experimented with various batting positions, yet it often appears as though he is burdened by immense pressure.

In a league where immediate results are expected, failing to qualify for the playoffs in two consecutive seasons is unlikely to please LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka.

Goenka is known for his willingness to invest significantly—nearly USD three million in Pant's case—but he also expects performances that justify such investments.

Pant's tally of 251 runs at a strike rate of 138 falls short of modern T20 standards.

The pressure he faces is evident, as he has only hit nine sixes in 11 matches.

The fluidity that once characterized his batting seems to have vanished, and some of the team's strategic choices have left even loyal LSG fans confused.

For instance, why was Arshin Kulkarni, who has a strike rate of around 134 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, chosen to open in the IPL? His 17 runs off 24 balls as an opener are hard to comprehend.

Did Pant make that decision, or was it coach Justin Langer and the support staff?

Moreover, questions linger about the repeated chances given to Himmat Singh, whose domestic T20 strike rate barely exceeds 130.

Similarly, why was Ayush Badoni consistently placed in the top order despite lacking the power game expected in modern T20 cricket?

While the poor form of Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram significantly impacted the campaign, Pant has not exhibited the tactical insight required for this format.

Ajinkya Rahane's Leadership Challenges

Rahane Turns into a Liability

Rahane's selection as captain for KKR was primarily a result of a lack of viable leadership alternatives.

His previous teammate Abhishek Nayar serving as head coach also played a role in his appointment.

However, KKR struggled as Rahane and Nayar's protégé Angkrish Raghuvanshi failed to meet the pace expectations of modern T20 cricket.

Raghuvanshi scored 340 runs at a strike rate exceeding 139, while Rahane managed only 237 runs at a strike rate of 133, both batting in the top three, which hindered the team's momentum.

In 11 matches, the duo combined for just 25 sixes, averaging less than two sixes per game.

Ideally, Rahane and Raghuvanshi should not have been in the same playing XI, and the management's inflexibility proved detrimental.

When questioned about his strike rate earlier this season, Rahane suggested that critics were envious, but at 37, he may need to reflect on whether he can adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket.

While Axar and Pant are likely to remain sought-after players, it is safe to say that Rahane may not attract interest from any franchise in the next mini-auction unless KKR makes an unexpected decision to keep him for another season.