Captaining an IPL team is the dream of many, but it is a very challenging task, especially because there are players from different parts of the world playing for the same team. The captain has to not only take care of his own performance but also try to get the best out of the players available in his squad.
Also, he has to ensure that the performances are consistent. Otherwise, the team owners do not think much before taking the captaincy away from a player. Like any other cricket team, there is a captain and vice-captain in the Indian Premier League.
The vice-captain is appointed so that he can lead the team whenever the captain is absent. However, some IPL franchises have done the unthinkable and given leadership to another player despite having a vice-captain appointed by them only.
1. Jitesh Sharma was named vice-captain of Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, but Sam Curran is captaining the team tonight
Punjab Kings are known for their changing their team quite often. They have used many players as their captains. In the 2024 season, Shikhar Dhawan is their skipper. The official vice-captain of the team is wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who even represented the franchise at the pre-season captains’ meet in Chennai.
However, in tonight’s match against the Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur, England all-rounder Sam Curran is leading the Punjab Kings team.
2. Rashid Khan was named vice-captain of Gujarat Titans, but Shubman Gill jumped him in the race
Gujarat Titans joined the league in 2022. They appointed Hardik Pandya as captain and Rashid Khan as his deputy. Khan even captained the team in some matches. However, when Pandya left the team this season, the captaincy went to Shubman Gill.
3. Sunrisers Hyderabad named Bhuvneshwar Kumar as vice-captain, but Aiden Markram overtook him
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the deputy skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2019. He even captained the side on a few occasions. Even in 2023, he continued to be vice-captain, with Aiden Markram coming in and taking over as captain in the middle.
