As we step into the business end of the league phase of IPL 2024, there is enough chatter going around the respective captains of the various franchises. Which skipper will be retained ahead of the auction? And which of those unlucky leaders would be shown the door? At RevSportz, we look at the retention chances of each one of the captains.
Sanju Samson
The Rajasthan Royals skipper has had a splendid season not just with the bat and gloves, but also as captain. Samson has already notched up 471 runs at a healthy average of 67.24 and at a strike-rate of 163.54. More importantly, he has played according to different situations of the game. Samson has also shown the required tactical nous. In modern-day cricket, enough captains seem to be auto-pilots. Not so Samson.
It is usually said that the wicketkeeper is the third eye of the team. The move could be something as small as giving Riyan Parag, the part-timer, one over in the middle phase of the innings against RCB to ensure he didn’t have to bowl out all his pacers, with some of them getting smashed around. But in the bigger scheme of things, such deft moves would add up.
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Chances of being retained as captain – 10/10
Pat Cummins
Over three seasons, Sunrisers Hyderabad had ended up a lowly 8th, 8th and 10th respectively in the league phase. The franchise has scripted a turnaround during this IPL season. A large share of the credit for that has to go to Cummins and the rest of the think tank. The management has given complete freedom for the batting unit to play with adventure.
It feels as if the coaching staff have told the batters that the consequence of losing your wicket is secondary in comparison to taking advantage of the PowerPlay overs. The way Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have gone about their business at the top of the order encapsulates the point. On the field too, Cummins has been calm and collected. The way he rotated the bowlers versus Mumbai Indians, in one of the earlier games, served as an essence of this point.
10/10
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer’s franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, have been one of the front-runners in the tournament and are perched on top of the table with 16 points. The crux of Iyer’s leadership is his calm countenance. Even when Punjab Kings were on the brink of registering a record chase, Iyer’s body language was that of a captain who had control over his emotions. Barring the odd murmur of how Iyer has gone about rotating his bowlers, his game awareness and tactical smarts have been on the money.
10/10
Rishabh Pant
The Rishabh Pant-led side had a forgettable start to the season. The franchise, though, have made a redoubtable comeback, winning five out of their last seven matches. Incidentally, they are still in with a chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Since returning from a life-threatening accident, Pant himself has been in excellent form behind the stumps and also made vital contributions with the willow in hand. When you consider all those factors, Pant looks all set to continue as the captain.
10/10
Ruturaj Gaikwad
The Chennai Super Kings skipper is currently the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 541 runs. Under his leadership, CSK currently sit in fourth place with 12 points. Even if CSK miss out on a last-four spot, Gaikwad is expected to continue as the skipper. After all, it is his first season as the captain of the set-up, having taken over the leadership mantle from the legendary MS Dhoni.
9/10
Shubman Gill
The Gujarat Titans skipper, who was named as the captain after Hardik Pandya shifted over to Mumbai Indians last year, has had a tough time. Despite achieving a comfortable win over CSK in their last game, GT currently slot in at a lowly eighth position in the points table. Even if GT don’t progress to the playoffs, you expect the management to show faith in the star Indian batter.
8/10
Hardik Pandya
Ever since Pandya moved over to MI, hardly anything has gone right for the all-rounder. His tactical nous has regularly been questioned – A case in point is not starting with his spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. There has also been speculation of a rift in the side. No wonder, MI presently occupy the ninth place in the table. To make matters worse, his own form with the bat hasn’t been good, having aggregated 198 runs at an average under 20. On a slightly positive note, his bowling is on an upward curve. MI, however, would likely give one more chance for Pandya to prove his worth as the captain.
7/10
Faf du Plessis
It has been a curious season for RCB. The Bengaluru franchise won just one out of their first eight games. Just when it seemed as if everything was lost, RCB chiseled out a sterling comeback and are on a four-match winning streak. So, how to assess du Plessis’ leadership?
Initially, there were question marks over some of du Plessis’ bowling changes and how the think tank ended up employing their impact subs. But du Plessis and co. deserve some applause for not withering away under pressure. RCB’s sharp fielding in their previous outing versus PBKS is an indicator of the team’s energy levels. Du Plessis has also amassed 361 runs at a strike rate of 171. Having said all that, du Plessis will be 40 this year. Unless RCB script a miraculous comeback, where they go on to reach the summit clash or even win the trophy, he is on a slightly sticky wicket.
5/10
Sam Curran/Shikhar Dhawan
Dhawan, the designated captain of Punjab Kings, hasn’t played for his side since April 9 due to a shoulder problem. In his place, Sam Curran has shouldered the responsibility. Under his leadership, PBKS have won just 2 out of 7 matches.
Despite posting a below-par score, PBKS did put up a fight against GT last month. And then, there was the monumental effort versus KKR. In the final analysis, though, results matter. Curran’s form with the bat too has been disappointing. In that context, PBKS’ biggest signing could be on his way out. Meanwhile, Dhawan isn’t getting any younger and will be 39 this year. So, the prospects aren’t looking good for him either.
4/10
KL Rahul
What to make of Rahul? After all, with him at the helm of affairs, Lucknow Super Giants have reached the last-four over two tournaments. Rahul also has come across as a street-smart leader. On the minus side, his strike-rate has come under heavy scrutiny. In the backdrop of teams eyeing 100 runs in the Powerplay, Rahul’s rather tame efforts against SRH and KKR made for sorry reading.
On the top of it, Sanjiv Goenka, the LSG owner, had an animated chat with Rahul after their crushing defeat to SRH. By all accounts, Rahul might have to search for another franchise.
2/10
Also Read: Vintage Dhoni, but too little of it