Try GOLD - Free

New captains face fresh challenges as franchises gear up for IPL 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

|

March 14, 2025

Will change in leadership alter the fortune of franchises this IPL season?

- Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: KL Rahul the ODI finisher has been calmness personified but in the Indian Premier League he is an intriguingly unfinished story. The conviction in playing the batting anchor is laudable, as has been the selflessness in keeping wickets to free up another slot in the playing 11. Quite a few big innings but not enough landmark wins as captain, Rahul's career has been missing that one defining moment of triumph that leaders are identified with. And so, a journey that has so far traversed four franchises is now checking in at Delhi Capitals, whether or not as captain is not yet confirmed.

As many as five out of the 10 IPL franchises are starting this season with new captains. Rishabh Pant switched from DC to Lucknow Super Giants for a whopping Rs 27 crore in the IPL auction, while Shreyas Iyer was picked up by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru has entrusted Rajat Patidar for the job while out of nowhere defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders signed the unsold Ajinkya Rahane as captain after breaking the bank (Rs 23.75 crore) for Venkatesh Iyer. Each of these changes are massive in the pretext of how the respective teams fared last year.

MORE STORIES FROM Hindustan Times Noida

Hindustan Times Noida

‘Handling pressure of being hosts key to India’s ambitions in WC’

Few names in women’s cricket carry as much weight as Belinda Clark's. A pioneer, record-holder and administrator, Clark has been a trailblazer but also witnessed the evolution of the game.

time to read

3 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

Karan hits back at ex, Anusha, later deletes his Insta post

Actor Karan Kundrra has hit back at allegations made by his former girlfriend, actor-host Anusha Dandekar, who recently suggested he had been unfaithful during their three-and-a-half-year relationship.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

Hindustan Times Noida

Doyen of classical music who transcended genres and enriched India’s cultural legacy

{ PANDIT CHHANNULAL MISHRA } 1936-2025

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

Hexaware faces $500 million patent lawsuit

American information technology (IT) services firm Natsoft Corp. sued Hexaware Technologies Ltd for breach of contract and patent infringement, seeking $500 million in damages from the latter, in one of the biggest patent cases against an Indian IT firm.

time to read

2 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

At UNHRC, India slams Pak for 'hypocrisy' over human rights

India slammed Pakistan at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, for its “hypocrisy” on human rights and highlighting the persecution of minorities within Pakistan.

time to read

1 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

DU keeps you grounded: Miss Universe India Manika

This 22-year-old student of Delhi University (DU) is no ordinary girl next door.

time to read

1 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

A colonial era prison lost to time

The Old Central Jail, once a Mughal 'serai' and later a colonial prison, exists today in fragments amid weed and a fading memory

time to read

3 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

{ DR GG PARIKH } 1924-2025 Veteran Gandhian leader, freedom fighter Parikh dies at 101

It was befitting that the last of the legendary Gandhians should die on Gandhi Jayanti. Dr GG Parikh who passed away on Thursday morning was one of those rare figures whose death at the age of 101 will be mourned not just by the grey eminences talking about a ‘second’ freedom movement, but also by hundreds of young grassroots workers for whom he was an inspiration, and as evidenced by many of them breaking down at his funeral in Mumbai.

time to read

2 mins

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

Messi to visit India for 4-city tour in December

Lionel Messi on Thursday confirmed his participation in the much-anticipated GOAT Tour of India, calling itan “honour” to revisit the “passionate football nation” where he last played 14 years ago.

time to read

1 min

October 03, 2025

Hindustan Times Noida

Hindustan Times Noida

First day, first show: Pace makes Windies crumble

India are only 41 runs away from taking a first innings lead with eight wickets in hand

time to read

3 mins

October 03, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size