IPL 2024: Rating the Captains

The upcoming IPL season promises a fresh wave of leadership with some interesting captaincy changes. Here’s a breakdown of the skippers for all 10 teams, along with their ratings based on experience and recent performance:

IPL 2024 Top Contender:

• MS Dhoni (CSK) – 9.5/10: The undisputed king of IPL captains. Dhoni’s leadership qualities are legendary, having led CSK to four IPL titles and two Champions League T20 trophies. His calm demeanour, astute tactical decisions, and ability to back youngsters make him a force to be reckoned with.

IPL 2024 Top Price Players:

• Hardik Pandya (MI) – 8/10: A new era dawns for Mumbai Indians with Hardik Pandya at the helm. His all-round capabilities and experience as a finisher bode well. However, his captaincy credentials remain untested in the high-pressure IPL environment.
• Faf du Plessis (RCB) – 7.5/10: Faf has brought stability to RCB after Virat Kohli’s departure. His tactical acumen and experience leading South Africa are valuable assets. However, RCB hasn’t reached the IPL final under his captaincy yet.
• Pat Cummins (SRH) – 7.5/10: An interesting choice, Cummins brings vast experience and tactical nous. His bowling prowess can inspire the team. But his captaincy experience is limited to the international stage.

Solid Choices:

• KL Rahul (LSG) – 7/10: A prolific scorer and a shrewd leader, KL Rahul has the potential to be a great captain. However, his captaincy experience is limited to Punjab Kings, where he hasn’t achieved major success.
• Shreyas Iyer (KKR) – 7/10: A young and dynamic leader, Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy stint at Delhi Capitals was promising. He’ll need to adapt his leadership style to KKR’s playing dynamics.

Needs to Prove:

• Sanju Samson (RR) – 6.5/10: A talented player, Sanju Samson hasn’t quite translated his batting brilliance into consistent leadership for Rajasthan Royals. He needs to find the right balance between aggression and calculated risks.
• Rishabh Pant (DC) – 6/10: An explosive batsman, Pant’s captaincy at Delhi Capitals has been inconsistent. He needs to work on his decision-making and handling pressure situations.

Fresh Faces:

• Shikhar Dhawan (PBKS) – 5.5/10: An experienced opener, Dhawan’s captaincy credentials are untested. He’ll need to prove himself as a leader who can inspire a young Punjab Kings squad.
• Shubman Gill (GT) – 5/10: The youngest captain in IPL 2024, Shubman Gill’s leadership experience is limited. His biggest challenge will be managing senior players like David Miller and Rashid Khan while leading from the front with his batting.

Note: These ratings are based on a combination of past performance, experience, and current form. The IPL is a dynamic tournament, and these captains will have a chance to prove their worth on the field.

DISCLAIMER: This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.