As the excitement for IPL 2025 builds up, captains from all 10 franchises came together today for a special pre-season meet-up. This annual gathering, which includes a trophy photoshoot, marks the traditional start of every IPL season.
With the tournament set to begin on March 22, this year’s photoshoot brought an interesting mix of familiar faces and new leaders to the spotlight.
New Captains Take Charge
Several teams have opted for fresh leadership this season. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a surprising move by not retaining their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Instead, they have handed the reins to Ajinkya Rahane, while Iyer will now lead Punjab Kings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) placed their trust in Rajat Patidar, while Delhi Capitals appointed Axar Patel as their new skipper. The latter replaces Rishabh Pant, who will now captain Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Teams Sticking with Their Captains
Meanwhile, some teams have chosen to maintain stability. Hardik Pandya remains in charge of Mumbai Indians, Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to lead Chennai Super Kings, and Sanju Samson retains his captaincy at Rajasthan Royals.
Similarly, Shubman Gill will once again lead Gujarat Titans, while Sunrisers Hyderabad have stuck with Pat Cummins, who is the only overseas captain in IPL 2025.
Youth Takes the Lead
This season, franchises have leaned towards younger captains, creating some intriguing dynamics within teams. Rajat Patidar will lead RCB while sharing the dressing room with the experienced Virat Kohli. Hardik Pandya will take charge of Mumbai Indians, leading none other than Rohit Sharma. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad will captain Chennai Super Kings with MS Dhoni still in the squad.
Opening Match of IPL 2025
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 season kicks off on March 22, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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