Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya named IPL 2026’s worst captains by Wasim Jaffer; Rajat Patidar tops list

The IPL 2026 Captaincy Debate

As the intense league phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 draws to a close and the top four teams prepare for the playoffs, cricket pundits and fans alike are evaluating the performances of the skippers. Former Indian batting stalwart Wasim Jaffer recently shared his definitive rankings for the season’s captains, providing a candid assessment of who steered their ships to success and who faltered under pressure.

In a detailed breakdown on ESPNcricinfo’s Quick Singles, Jaffer ranked the ten captains from bottom to top. While some positions were expected, others have raised eyebrows across the cricketing fraternity.

The Underperformers: Pant and Pandya Struggle

At the bottom of the list, Jaffer expressed significant disappointment regarding the leadership displayed by two of India’s biggest stars. Rishabh Pant, leading the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), was placed at the 10th spot. The team endured a dismal campaign, finishing at the bottom of the table with only four victories in 14 matches. The lack of consistency and tactical cohesion was cited as the primary reason for Pant’s low ranking.

Occupying the ninth spot was Hardik Pandya. Despite leading a Mumbai Indians squad that appeared formidable on paper, Pandya failed to inspire the team to reach its full potential. The franchise finished in ninth place with a meager eight points, marking a disappointing season for the record champions.

Mid-Table Leadership and Surprise Entries

The rankings continued with Ruturaj Gaikwad of the Chennai Super Kings in eighth place, reflecting a season of early struggle followed by a valiant, albeit insufficient, fightback. Axar Patel was placed seventh for his leadership of the Delhi Capitals, who finished sixth but ultimately missed out on the playoffs. Perhaps most surprisingly, Riyan Parag claimed the sixth spot, having successfully navigated the Rajasthan Royals into the postseason.

Ajinkya Rahane (fifth for Kolkata Knight Riders) and Shreyas Iyer (fourth for Punjab Kings) followed. Jaffer acknowledged the effort behind the scenes for these teams, even as some fell short of the top-four cut-off due to late-season slumps or mid-tournament instability.

The Top Tier: Excellence in Command

The upper echelons of Jaffer’s list featured those who masterminded their teams’ playoff qualification. Shubman Gill earned the third spot for his pivotal role at the Gujarat Titans. Not only did he lead the team to a second-place finish, but he also anchored the batting unit with over 600 runs.

Jaffer opted for a dual-selection at the second spot, honoring both Pat Cummins and Ishan Kishan for their shared success in leading the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Jaffer noted, “I thought Ishan also played an important role in where SRH has reached and qualified for the playoffs,” highlighting the seamless transition of leadership during the Australian captain’s injury layoff.

The Pinnacle: Why Rajat Patidar Reigns Supreme

Taking the top spot on the list is Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Rajat Patidar. Jaffer’s selection is grounded in consistency and proven results. Patidar, who led RCB to their maiden title last season, has maintained his golden touch, ensuring his team was the first to qualify for the playoffs this year. Beyond his captaincy, his contributions with the bat—scoring roughly 400 runs—have been instrumental to RCB’s dominance.

Jaffer summarized his choice: “Number 1 has to be Rajat Patidar because he won the trophy last season. And again, this season, RCB was the first team to qualify and obviously get the top 2 spot. So Rajat Patidar is my number 1 captain.”

As we head into the playoffs, these rankings serve as a final scorecard for the league phase. Whether Jaffer’s assessments hold true as the tournament reaches its climax remains to be seen, but the numbers certainly support his confidence in the current leaders of the pack.