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A new report has dropped a massive bombshell as IPL 2026 approaches its business end. It claims that the captains of certain teams that have consistently underperformed are set to be axed by the end of the season.
The report mentions that three particular captains who led their teams in IPL 2025 without success, but still kept their jobs this year, are likely to be sacked. The three teams in question have not improved upon their dismal showing from last year at all in IPL 2026.
Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, and Ajinkya Rahane are to lose their jobs after IPL 2026
As reported by PTI, Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants), Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals), and Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders) are all set to be stripped of the captaincy at the end of this year’s IPL.
Under those same captains, neither of the three teams had qualified for the playoffs, and they do not look like they will qualify this year either. LSG have been officially eliminated, DC have been practically eliminated, and KKR too are very likely not to make the playoffs in IPL 2026.
These consecutive failures do not seem to have gone down well with the respective franchise owners, and they seem all set to bring the hammer down on these leaders.
Multiple issues plague these respective IPL captains
Apart from the apparent lack of tactical acumen, the lack of cricketing form has also plagued these particular captains.
Each one of them has been dealing with their own issues and seems to be caught in the same storm with their respective owners, even if not in the same boat.
Axar Patel
In 2025, Axar had led the Delhi Capitals to a fifth-place finish and narrowly missed out on a spot in the playoffs. In 2026, that performance has gone downhill.
The Capitals are now in seventh place in IPL 2026 with 5 wins in 12 matches. They have been practically eliminated from contention for the top four this year, and captain Axar’s form has definitely had something to do with it.
In 12 matches, he has made 100 runs at a strike rate of 112.50, with 56 of them coming in one innings and the remaining 44 coming in 7 others, despite him batting in the top five.
He has also refrained from bowling his full quota of overs many times, and has taken just 10 wickets at an economy of around 8.08.
DC’s co-o
