The excitement around the new season focuses firmly on the IPL 2026 Captains, whom the leaders entrusted to guide their franchises through one of the most competitive tournaments in the world.
The IPL 2026 captains will not only manage star-studded squads but also carry the responsibility of shaping team identity, handling high-pressure chases, and making bold tactical calls on the spot.
With some showing calm and experience, some captains will prefer aggressive and fearless strategies to achieve glory.
Along with the leadership updates, the IPL 2026 squad details highlight the balanced mix of experienced stars and emerging talents set to compete in the Indian Premier League 2026 season.
As the Indian Premier League continues to grow in brand value ahead of the new season, fans can also check out the complete IPL 2026 Schedule to stay up to date on all upcoming matches.
IPL 2026 captains List
As the tournament unfolds, the influence of the IPL 2026 captains could ultimately define who rises to the top and who falls short, making leadership one of the most compelling storylines of the season.
Don’t miss the chance to witness top captains in action — IPL 2026 tickets will be in high demand this season.
Every franchise will always put all their efforts into grabbing the best captain for their team.
The captain holds the responsibility of leading the team on the right path. A decision from the captain can change the match’s flow at any point of time.
Following are the details of the IPL 2026 Captains List for the upcoming season with Head Coach details:
| Team | Captain | Head Coach |
| Chennai Super Kings | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Stephen Fleming |
| Delhi Capitals | Axar Patel | Breathe Dancers |
| Gujarat Titans | Shubman Gill | Ashish Nehra |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | Ajinkya Rahane | Abhishek Nayar |
| Lucknow Super Giants | Rishabh Pant | Justin Langer |
| Mumbai Indians | Hardik Pandya | Mahela Jayawardene |
| Punjab Kings | Shreyas Iyer | Ricky Ponting |
| Rajasthan Royals | Riyan Parag | Kumar Sangakkara |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Rajat Patidar | Andy Flower |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Pat Cummins | Daniel Vettori |
IPL 2026 Format
The IPL 2026 format is not something unfamiliar to the IPL cricket community. The format has been used in the last IPL season where the tournament is played with a total of 10 teams.
- The ten teams are divided into two groups of five.
- A random draw was used to determine the groups and who plays whom across the groups once and twice.
- In the group stage, each team plays 14 games facing the other four teams in their group two times each (one home and one away game), four teams in the other group once, and the remaining team two times.
- IPL Points Table system: The team winning a match will be awarded 2 points. The losing team will not receive any points. In case of a draw or no result, both teams will be awarded 1 point.
- A four-game playoff stage following the Page playoff system is held after the group stage. Four games will be played in the playoffs:
- Qualifier 1: between the teams ranked first and second in the group stage.
- Eliminator: between the teams ranked third and fourth in the group stage.
- Qualifier 2: between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator.
- Final: between the winners of Qualifiers 1 and 2.
IPL 2026 Playoff Format
The playoffs consist of two Qualifiers and one Eliminator. Qualifier 1 is played first, followed by the Eliminator and then Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 1: The first Qualifier is played between the top two teams in the points table. The Qualifier is like a semi-final. The team winning this game goes straight to the IPL final. The loser of Qualifier 1 takes part in Qualifier 2 – for another shot at the final. Thus, the teams finishing in the top two spots of the points table get two bites of the cherry – they have two chances to qualify for the IPL final.
Eliminator: The Eliminator is played between teams who finish at the third and fourth position in the points table. Like the name suggests, the team losing this match is out of the competition. The winner of this match goes into Qualifier 2.
Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator play this game. This again is like a semi-final and the team winning this game moves into the final.
IPL Final: The final and the most crucial juncture of this prestigious competition is played between the winner of Qualifier 1 and the winner of Qualifier 2.
IPL 2026 Rules and Regulations
Here are the complete details of updated IPL 2026 Rules and Regulations, which are said to be followed similarly to the last season of Indian Premier League.
- As of last season, BCCI included the “Smart Replay System” in the IPL 2026 season for quicker and more accurate reviews.
- Bowlers can bowl two bounces in an over in IPL 2026.
- The IPL 2026 season will also retain the Impact Player Rule which was introduced in IPL 2023.
- Team captains can walk in with 2 different team sheets before handling their final playing 11 after the toss.
- Depending on the toss result, the teams can pick their best 11 after the toss. But till last season, the captains had to exchange the teams before the toss.
- For Example: If team A wants to bat first and then defend a total on a slow track in turning conditions and is forced to bowl first they can pick the playing 11 with an extra spinner in the starting 11 and then they can replace a specialist bowler with a batter in the second innings to help with the run-chase.
- BCCI introduced this rule in the 2023 edition to bring down the motto of “win toss, win match” in certain conditions.
- IPL 2026 will have two DRS for each inning.
- Players can take reviews for wides and no-balls in IPL
- Upon a catch dismissal, irrespective of whether the batsmen have crossed or not the incoming batsman will take the strike, except if it’s the last ball of the over
- In Playoffs/Final: If Super Over or subsequent Super Overs can’t be completed due to some reason then the team that has finished higher in the league will be declared as the winner.
- Over rate penalty of only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for every over not completed in the allocated time.
- Unfair movement of the wicketkeeper will result in a dead ball and 5 penalty runs.
- Unfair movement by a fielder will result in a dead ball and 5 penalty runs
- BCCI has introduced a new rule of a second ball for the second innings of a match ahead of IPL 2026.
- The second ball will come into play after the 11th over of the second innings in an IPL match.
- The umpire will determine whether the ball needs to be changed or not and will be decided based on the presence of dew.
- This rule will primarily apply to night games, and it is unlikely that a second ball will be used in afternoon matches.
- The BCCI has decided that captains will no longer face match bans. Instead, they will be penalised with demerit points, with a ban being enforced only in extreme cases.
Practice during tournament
- Teams will get 2 nets in the practice area and 1 of the side wickets on the main square to do range hitting. For the Mumbai venue, if both the teams are practicing at the same time, the teams will get 2 wickets each.
- No open nets will be allowed.
- If one of the teams finishes their practice early, the other team is not allowed to use the wickets for their practice.
- No practice will be allowed on Match days.
- No fitness test will take place on the Match Day on the main square.
- On practice days (during pre-tournament & tournament), only accredited staff is allowed in the dressing room and on the field of play.
- Player family members and friends to travel in a different vehicle and can watch the team practice from the hospitality area.
- For extended support staff ( throw down specialist/net bowlers) list needs to be submitted for approval to the BCCI. Once approved, non-match day accreditations will be issued for the same.
- Players to use the team bus while coming for practice. Teams may travel in two batches.
- For any request related to practice, fitness test on Match days, the Venue Manager will be the POC.
Match Day
- It is mandatory for PMOA accredited staff to bring their accreditation on match day. On the first instance failure of not carrying the accreditation, a warning will be issued. On the second instance, a monetary fine will be issued to the team.
- Despite providing hitting nets, players keep hitting on the LED boards thus board requests teams to adhere to it.
- The Board has advised players and support staff not to sit in front of the LED boards. The sponsorship team will mark places across the FOP where substitutes carrying towels and water bottles can be seated.
- Players have to wear Orange and Purple caps during the game. In case where players do not wear caps, the board requests players to wear them for the first two overs till the broadcast captures it.
- In the post-match presentation, floppies and sleeveless jerseys are not allowed. Failure to do so will result in warning on the first instance. On the second instance, there will be a financial penalty.
- On match days, similar to IPL 2025 season, only 12 accredited support staff will be permitted which includes team doctor.
Jersey Number
- In case of a change in jersey numbers, information has to be made 24 hours in advance as mentioned in clothing & equipment guidelines.
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