New Delhi: With two consecutive T20 World Cup titles in their hands, India has become a powerhouse in cricket’s shortest format. The talent waiting list is also huge. Within two years, indian cricket team Preparations will be made for two major events, the Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup.When it comes to picking a 15-player squad, there’s nothing complicated about selecting teams based primarily on their form. The best example of this approach is Ishan Kishan. Since making his comeback after a two-year hiatus, the southpaw has been heating up the scene.
He was selected in the Indian team after scoring a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and leading Jharkhand to the title. In 13 games since his return, the 27-year-old has accumulated 532 points with a 207-point shooting percentage. In the recently concluded T20 World Cup, his 317 runs ranked third behind Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and teammate Sanju Samson.But the real question is who will replace the aging Suryakumar Yadav As India’s next T20I skipper. The answer may come in 2026 indian premier league (intense pulsed light) – Just like head coach Gautam Gambhir’s successful experience with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).IPL is the best T20 league in the world. Unlike the T20 World Cup, this is an equal platform with all 10 teams of equal strength. Therefore, the selectors have to keep their eyes open to see who can lead India as picking a T20I squad with a lot of talent is a no-brainer but picking the right captain is not easy.Who are the competitors?
Axar Patel leads Delhi Capitals in IPL.
Eight out of the 10 IPL teams have appointed Indian players as captains. KKR are yet to announce their next captain and Pat Cummins will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has not been part of the national team roster since leading India to the gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.Defending champions RCB captain Rajat Patidar is yet to make his international debut in a T20I tournament.Mumbai Indians captain Hardik PandyaHe was expected to succeed Rohit Sharma after winning the World Cup in 2024, but was not given the captain’s armband due to fitness issues. But come IPL 2026, he will captain Suryakumar Yadav, India’s current T20I captain.Axar Patel, 32, has been the proverbial bridesmaid in the Indian cricket world. He was appointed as the vice-captain for the first time after the 2024 T20 World Cup and was later replaced by Shubman Gill and was again appointed as Surya’s vice-captain before the 2026 World Cup. Axar might be a good choice but Delhi Capitals have to win trophies.
Lucknow Supergiants captain Rishabh Pant
24-year-old Riyan Parag leads Rajasthan in the absence of Sanju Samson during IPL 2025. But first the youngster must cement his place in the national team. There is no doubt that his bowling ability can make him a permanent face of the Indian team in the next cycle. His name was also on the shortlist when Washington Sundar was injured.28-year-old Rishabh Pant is also looking to recreate his T20I form, both with the bat and as captain of the Lucknow Supergiants. The left-hander has fallen out of the limelight and with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in top form, Pant may have to wait for an opportunity in this format.Then there’s Shubman Gill of Gujarat Titans and Kings XI Punjab Shreyas Iyer. Both showed leadership qualities. Gill is the current captain of India’s ODI and Test teams, while Iyer led KKR to the 2024 IPL title and led Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final.
Shreyas Iyer (IPL Photo)
Shubman is considered the next face of Indian cricket and the successor to Suryakumar Yadav. But surprisingly, he was dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad due to team combination. Shreyas was part of the team in the New Zealand series ahead of the T20 World Cup as a replacement for the injured Tilak Varma, but he did not get a chance to play. In an ideal scenario, Shreyas would be the right man to lead India to the Los Angeles Olympics and the T20 World Cup.Sanju Samson is another option that selectors have to consider. The 2026 T20 World Cup winner, who led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, is currently showing confidence after being awarded the Player of the Tournament award.The IPL has long been the biggest T20 cricket laboratory in India. Just as Gambhir’s success in the IPL opened doors for national team coaching jobs, IPL 2026 may also quietly shape India’s next T20I captain. In a tournament that tests pressure, tactics and leadership every night, the selectors may find the man who will lead India into the next cycle.
