IPL captains 2023: Full list for all 10 franchises ahead of 2023 Indian Premier League

Lachlan Mitchell

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IPL captains 2023: Full list for all 10 franchises ahead of 2023 Indian Premier League image

For this season's IPL, several big names from the world of cricket will be under the spotlight and expected to lead from the front.

Captains are often required to make the big decisions in the big moments and to be a leader when the match calls for decisive action.

This season will see a number of players take on the captain's role for the first time, while others have already shown their best in the top job. Here, we look at the IPL 2023 captains.

MORE: IPL 2023 schedule and how to watch all the action

Chennai Super Kings captain: MS Dhoni

A modern-day cricketing legend, MS Dhoni will once again take his place behind the stumps and lead the Chennai Super Kings out for his 13th season as captain.

Dhoni is a revered figure on both the international and the IPL stage, leading CSK to four championship titles during his time in charge.

The 41-year-old has been prolific throughout his time in the IPL and will be looking for more of the same this year, averaging 39.2 from 4,978 total runs in 234 IPL matches during his career.

MORE: Latest IPL 2023 betting and odds

Delhi Capitals captain: David Warner

With Rishabh Pant ruled out due to a car accident that has required extensive recovery, Australian David Warner has stepped in to lead the Delhi Capitals for 2023.

Warner will captain the side in his second year back for the Capitals after making his return from Sunrisers Hyderabad where he won the IPL title.

Warner has scored over 5,000 runs during his IPL career, averaging 42 and he remains one of the most destructive batsmen around in the short format of the game.

DC have made Axar Patel the vice-captain for the 2023 season.

Gujarat Titans captain: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya will once again be hoping to lead from the front for GT this year, as the Titans aim to defend their IPL title.

Pandya was one of the key players who masterminded their success in 2022, pulling off what many thought was impossible by leading the side to a championship in their first season in IPL.

Pandya's impact with both bat and ball was critical, while his skill was also in using his bowlers to full effect, with Mohammed Shami and Alzarri Joseph his main attack weapons.

Kolkata Knight Riders captain: Nitish Rana

The status of the KKR captaincy has been the subject of some debate heading into the IPL 2023 season, with Shreyas Iyer's injury giving the team a headache.

Iyer was originally set to lead the Knight Riders out for their first clash on April 1 against the Punjab Kings, but his participation has been in doubt ever since he complained of back pain in the 4th Test against Australia and was unable to bat.

Nitish Rana has replaced Iyer, but he will be supported by a number of experienced players, with Andre Russell and West Indian Sunil Narine also adding their voice. 

Lucknow Super Giants captain: KL Rahul

KL Rahul be hoping to take a few more steps this season continuing his run as captain of the Lucknow Super Giants.

Rahul led the Giants to third place in the points table in 2022 but LSG were knocked out of the playoff Eliminator by the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Rahul led their charge, making 79 in that match and averaging 51 for the year.

Lucknow have brought in a number of top-class players to help the side make the step up in 2023, with Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd set to make their debuts.

Lucknow’s first clash is on April 1 against the Delhi Capitals.

MORE: Make your IPL predictions and win prizes via Dafabet

Mumbai Indians captain: Rohit Sharma

After a hugely disappointing 2022 season by the standards of most Mumbai Indians fans, the boys in blue will be hoping for a bounce back to winning ways in 2023.

The most successful captain in IPL history with five trophies, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the Indians this season.

Sharma has been in charge of the Indians since 2013 but faces a challenge to get the most out of the traditional powerhouses after they finished 2022 bottom of the points table.

The Inclusions of Jhye Richardson and Cameron Green in the IPL auction should help their cause but it remains to be seen whether they can once again challenge for the big prize.

Punjab Kings captain: Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan will be hoping his side can break through for their first IPL title this season.

Dhawan was elevated to the top job after he took over from Mayank Agarwal for the 2023 season. Agarwal was poached by the Sunrisers.

Dhawan will have a similar side to watch over for the 2023 IPL, but he has one notable import in the shape of Englishman Sam Curran, who has made a record-breaking move across from the Chennai Super Kings following a year out of the tournament.

Rajasthan Royals captain: Sanju Samson

The 2022 season marked a tough year for the Rajasthan Royals, who suffered a heart-breaking final loss to the Gujarat Titans.

The Royals were victorious in the first season of IPL way back in 2008 but have since been unable to make an impact.

Sanju Samson will once again lead from the front as he tries to put the agony of last year's close call behind him.

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain: Faf du Plessis

Former South Africa captain Du Plessis will lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore for a second season in 2023.

The top-order batsman is in charge of a team mixed with youth and experience, and one which features the likes of veterans Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell.

They will be expected to make a charge towards finals after finishing fourth in the points table in 2022.

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain: Aiden Markram

Aiden Markram will take over from former captain Kane Williamson to lead the orange army out this year. 

Markram will have West Indies legend Brian Lara to use for support and a helping hand as Lara is the newly appointed coach of the SRH franchise.

SRH will have the likes of Harry Brook and Adil Rashid in their ranks, as they look to push for the finals.

Lachlan Mitchell

Lachlan Mitchell Photo

Lachlan is a keen lover of all things sport from AFL to cricket and everything in-between.

He is also a movie fanatic and thinks Michael Cera doesn’t get the credit he deserves. His sporting Hall of Fame would have to be Michael Jordan, Dustin Martin and Muhammad Ali.