New Delhi: With back-to-back T20 World Cup titles, India have emerged as a powerhouse in the shortest format of cricket. There is also immense talent waiting in the wings. in two years, Indian cricket team Two major events, the LA Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup will be geared up.And when it comes to picking a 15-man squad, picking a side based on form is no rocket science. The prime example of this approach is Ishan Kishan. Since returning after a two-year hiatus, the southpaw has set the stage on fire.
He was included in the Indian squad after scoring a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and leading Jharkhand to the title. In 13 matches since his return, the 27-year-old has scored 532 runs at a strike rate of 207. His 317 runs in the recently concluded T20 World Cup was the third highest after Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and teammate Sanju Samson.But the real question is who will replace the old age. Surya Kumar Yadav As India’s next T20I captain. The answer may come from 2026. Indian Premier League (IPL) – as happened with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).IPL is the best T20 league in the world. Unlike the T20 World Cup it is an even platform and all 10 teams are equally strong. So the selectors will have to keep their eyes open to see who can lead India as picking a T20I squad with the talent available is a no brainer, but choosing the right captain will not be easy.Who are the contenders?
Akshar Patel is leading the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.
Out of the 10 IPL teams, eight franchises have appointed Indian players as their captains. KKR are yet to announce their next captain, while Pat Cummins will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are captained by Rutoraj Gaekwad, who has not been involved in the national team since winning gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.Reigning champions RCB captain Rajat Patidar is yet to make his international debut in the T20I format.Captain of Mumbai Indians Hardik Pandyawho was tipped to take over from Rohit Sharma after the 2024 World Cup triumph, was not given the captaincy due to fitness issues. But in IPL 2026, he will be led by India’s current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.Aksar Patel, 32, has always been the proverbial bride in Indian cricket. He was first appointed vice-captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup, then replaced by Shibman Gill, and Suriya was again appointed vice-captain before the 2026 World Cup. Axar can be a good option but for that Delhi Capitals will have to win the trophy.
Lucknow Supergiants captain Rishabh Pant
24-year-old Ryan Prag has led Rajasthan in the absence of Sanju Samson during IPL 2025. But the youngster must first cement his place in the national team. There is no doubt that his bowling ability can make him a permanent face in the Indian team in the next cycle. His name also came up for selection when Washington Sundar was injured.Rishabh Pant, 28, will also be looking to revamp his T20I form, both with the bat and as the captain of Lucknow Supergiants. The southpaw has fallen off the radar and with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan in top form, Pant may have to wait for his opportunity in this format.He is followed by Shabman Gul of Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings. Shreyas Iyer. Both have shown leadership pedigree. Gayle is the current captain of India’s ODI and Test teams, while Iyer led KKR to the IPL title in 2024 and Punjab Kings to the final in IPL 2025.
Shreyas Iyer (IPL Photo)
Shubman was touted as the next poster boy of Indian cricket and the successor to Surya Kumar Yadav. But he was surprisingly dropped from India’s T20 World Cup squad citing team combination. Shreyas traveled with the team during the New Zealand series that preceded the T20 World Cup as cover for the injured Tilak Verma, but did not get a chance to play. In an ideal world, Shreyas would be the right man to lead India in the LA Olympics and the T20 World Cup.Sanju Samson is another option that the selectors should consider. The 2026 T20 World Cup champion has led Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and is currently brimming with confidence after his Player of the Tournament performance.The IPL has long been India’s biggest testing ground for T20 cricket. Just as Gambhir’s IPL success opened the door to a national coaching job, IPL 2026 could quietly shape India’s next T20I captain. In a tournament where pressure, strategy and leadership are tested every night, the selectors can only find one man who can take India to the next round.
