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The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 retention deadline is near, and the mini-auction is just a month away. Ahead of the retention and mini-auction, the franchises are making their changes and are involved in trade deals. Amidst this former South Africa National Cricket Team captain Faf du Plessis has named the captain for some of the franchises for the upcoming season.
Several franchises are in search of new captains for the forthcoming season. Some teams have released their captains, and some players have retired; thus, a leadership vacancy has been created in some franchises. However, there are some franchises where there are several leadership options, so they have yet to decide on their next captain.
Faf du Plessis backs LSG to appoint overseas captain for IPL 2027
While speaking in Cricinfo, Faf du Plessis was asked first about the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), as they have traded out Rishabh Pant for Kuldeep Yadav. So the former Proteas captain named Aiden Markram or Mitchell Marsh as the next captain for the franchise, though Nicholas Pooran was the vice-captain last season. It will be an interesting decision to be made.
Faf du Plessis said, "Both good captains, so they can't go wrong in either of them. They might say Mitch Marsh has been a little bit injury-prone, so they might tip it towards Aiden, but I think any of those two will be great selections." Aiden Markram has the experience of captaining in the IPL, as he did with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
CSK and RR to continue with same captains
Next up was Rajasthan Royals (RR), with the new owners reportedly not wanting Riyan Parag as their captain for the upcoming season. However, Faf has backed Riyan Parag to continue as the captain of the franchise for the next season. There are discussions about Yashasvi Jaiswal taking over the leadership role.
When asked about his former franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Faf du Plessis feels Ruturaj Gaikwad will remain the captain, as they have already revamped the whole coaching staff and there is an option of Sanju Samson. But Faf feels, "I think it's a lot of changes already. Making a captain change will be bigger. So keep it the same."
MI to name Rohit Sharma as captain?
Mumbai Indians (MI) was next in line, as Faf has named Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah as the next possible captain for the five-time champions. As Faf du Plessis states, “Yeah, not knowing much what's going on in the dressing room, just as an outsider. And for me, it looks like the Hardik captaincy thing hasn't worked, so I would possibly look at changing it. To who that goes to, I would go Rohit Sharma or Bumrah. One of those two."
Delhi Capitals (DC), as Faf du Plessis states, will keep Axar Patel as captain despite the struggles for the franchise, and they have traded in Rishabh Pant from LSG, who is also a possible leadership candidate.
KKR to trade Hardik Pandya ahead of IPL 2027 and make him captain
For the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the situation is very tricky after Ajinkya Rahane has retired. They still don't have an experienced captain, and they are also in talks to trade Hardik Pandya from MI. To that, Faf du Plessis stated, "Probably the hardest one to guess, as an outsider."
"I would think they would possibly look at someone in the auction, but a small auction, I don't think there will be anyone there that they can get. So that only leaves someone within the squad. I think if it's not anyone from outside, I think its Rinku. Yeah, trade Hardik and make him captain."
Also Read: Kolkata Knight Riders retained players list 2027: Predicted retentions ahead of IPL auction
