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