17 captains in 18 seasons: Can you name Punjab Kings all captains?
Punjab Kings have officially announced Shreyas Iyer as their new captain ahead of the IPL 2025. Can you name Punjab Kings all captains over the years? Sportz Point brings you the names.
Punjab Kings have officially named Shreyas Iyer the new captain ahead of the IPL 2025. The IPL-winning captain with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024 will lead the Punjab side in search of their maiden IPL title.
Punjab roped in Iyer in the IPL 2025 Auction for a record fee of 26.75 cr INR, enlisting him as the second-most expensive cricketer in IPL history.
However, with Iyer's appointment as captain, Punjab Kings has achieved an unprecedented feat in the IPL record books.
The team has now appointed 17 captains across 18 IPL seasons, a list studded with stalwarts such as Yuvraj Singh, Kumar Sangakkara, Adam Gilchrist, and Ravi Ashwin.
In this article, Sportz Point brings you Punjab Kings all captains since IPL's inception in 2008.
Major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay โน538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala
An impact of legal ruling marks a major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay โน538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Get the complete story here.
For years, the Board of Control for Crock in India (BCCI) has navigated various challenges. However a recent coury order is set to have a major financial impact on the sport's governing body.
This ruling revisits a past chapter involving a former IPL team and a long-standing dispute with them. The decision has arrived after a decade of the case, and brings a major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay โน538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Read the full story to know why.
How the BCCI-Kochi Tuskers Kerala dispute began
BCCI authorities, 2025. Image | Facebook
The root of this major legal battle dates back to 2011, when the BCCI terminated the contract of the IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala. The team, managed by Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL), had only played in one IPL season.
The BCCI claimed they ended the contract because Kochi Tuskers failed to provide a required annual bank guarantee by a deadline in March 2011. This was seen by the BCCI as a serious breach of their agreement.
However, the team owners had a different view. They argued that their delay was due to several issues, including problems with the stadium in Kochi and delays in getting necessary approvals. They also stated that the BCCI continued to deal with them and even accepted payments for months after the March deadline.
The team owners believed this showed the BCCI had waived or overlooked the deadline, making their sudden contract termination unfair.
Taking the matter to arbitration:
Because they felt the termination was wrong, the Kochi Tuskers owners took the matter to arbitration in 2012. An independent tribunal looked at all the facts. In June 2015, this tribunal ruled in favor of Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
The tribunal specifically directed the BCCI to pay โน384.83 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) for lost earnings and โน153.34 crore to Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) for a wrongfully cashed bank guarantee. These amounts also included interest and legal costs.
The Financial Fallout: Why โน538 crore to be paid now?
Bombay High Court. Image | Wikipedia
The BCCI challenged the 2015 arbitration award in the Bombay High Court, arguing it was unfair and that the damages were too high. However, the recent Bombay HC ruling upheld the original arbitration decision.
This means the BCCI is now legally requiredto pay a total of over โน538 crore, including accumulated interest since 2015, to the KTK owners. This represents a major financial loss and a significant legal defeat for the Indian cricket board.
A single social media activity has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world ahead of IPL 2026 auction. A recent 'hint' from Sanju Samson's manager has intensified the possibility of his transfer to Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals in the next season.
Fans are wondering whether this would come true and change the landscape for both the teams in the future, or is it just another false call.
There's been a mixed bag of positive and upsetting reactions in the past 24 hours, but the real question still stands: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Check out how Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours.
"Time to Move": Samson's recent viral Instagram post
On June 7, Sanju Samson posted a photo on Instagram that begin the rumors. The image featured him alongside his wife, crossing a prominent yellow line on the road. He captioned the post: "Time to MOVE..!!"
This visual cue, combined with the caption and the fact that a Tamil song ('Mun Andhi' from 7 Aum Arivu) was also part of the post, immediately sparked discussion. The comments section was quickly flooded with fans linking the "yellow" color and the "move" message to the Chennai Super Kings.
Comments like "He is definitely moving to CSK" and "Welcome to CSK ๐" can be seen all over the post.
Manager's IPL 2026 hint that sparked Sanju Samson transfer rumours
Sanju Samson's manager's profile (left) and the post he liked on Instagram (right). Image | One Cricket
The intense speculation regarding Sanju Samson moving to CSK for IPL 2026 intensified due to a subtle yet impactful social media action by his manager, Prashob Suvedan. He liked a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), which explicitly stated that Samson might be released fromRajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
This gets more interesting as the post also claimed CSK having already approached Samson regarding the move.
Therefore, the timing and nature of his manager's digital interaction ignited widespread speculation and put a layer of possibility about this matter.
โ Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) June 16, 2025
๐จ Sanju Samson wants to join CSK, CSK wants Sanju Samson. Talks are on but it is not at all this simple.
RR doesn't want to trade Samson with any CSK's player, if Samson wants to join CSK then he will have to do it through auction. But then in Auction there is KKR who gonnaโฆ pic.twitter.com/Dy6mpX1Ke2
Punjab Kings (PBKS) lost to Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) by 6 runs in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). With this, PBKS' dream of winning the first title remained unfulfilled. At the same time, PBKS' veteran spinner Yuzvendra Chahal once again failed to win the trophy.
So, let's know about those selected players who played 3 IPL finals and their team lost in all of them.
Players who lost all IPL finals
3. Mohit Sharma | 3 IPL Finals
Delhi Capitals' Mohit Sharma is another IPL star to have lost the final thrice. Mohit was part of CSK's squad from 2013-2015, where the five-time winners suffered defeats against Mumbai Indians in both the finals. It is worth noting that Sharma was part of both the finals.
Mohit's third try to win an IPL trophy was in 2023 with Gujarat Titans against his former team Chennai Super Kings, but suffered a heartbreaking defeat, as he also bowled the last over of the match and conceded 10 runs in the final two balls.
2. Rahul Tripathi | 3 IPL Finals
Rahul Tripathi is another star to have lost three finals with three different teams. Rahul has played for several IPL franchises in his career and played his first final in 2017 when he represented Rising Pune Supergiants. Tripathi got another shot at the trophy in 2021 with KKR, but lost to Chennai Super Kings.
The right-hand batter then moved to Sunrisers Hyderabad from KKR and reached the finals in 2024, but suffered a heartbreak against his former team Kolkata Knight Riders.
1. Yuzvendra Chahal | 3 IPL Finals
Yuzvendra Chahal is yet to win an IPL trophy and the right-arm leg-spinner came close thrice, but fell short on all three occasions. The first time Chahal played an IPL final was in 2016 with RCB, where the defending champions suffered a heartbreak against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Chahal's second exposure to IPL final was in 2022 when he moved to Rajasthan Royals and locked horns against Gujarat Titans. The fate didn't favour Chahal as Gujarat won the trophy in their maiden season.
The recently concluded IPL final between RCB and PBKS was the third time Chahal tried his luck to win an IPL trophy, but couldn't cross the line as his side fell short by six runs.
From emerging star to captain fantastic: Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey
From his debut as an emerging star to his elevation as a fantastic captain, Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey has been phenomenal. Explore his influence and achivements in this tournament, along with the key moments that shaped his IPL career.
Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey is a compelling story of growth, dedication, and leadership. From stepping into the grand stage as a promising young batsman to eventually shouldering the responsibility of captaincy and winning the trophy, he has finally earned the love and respect he deserved from all the cricket fans.
Explore this journey with us and relive those battles he fought to evolve from an emerging star to captain fantastic!
Iyer's IPL debut and initial impact (2015-2017) | Delhi Capitals
Shreyas Iyer playing for DC in his debut season in IPL 2015. Image | CC
Shreyas Iyer made his IPL debut at the age of 20 years and 6 months in 2015 season. His journey began with a bang when he was acquired by Delhi Capitals for โน2.6 crore, which made headlines as he became the highest earning uncapped player in the tournament.
His auction bid spotlight on him and he responded with a sensational debut, scoring 439 runs at an average of 33.76 in that season. He also won the IPL emerging player for the season award in 2015.
Iyer became DC's favourite and was retained for seven years in a row.
Youngest captain for DC and early leadership (2018)
Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2020. Image | ESPNcricinfo
The 2018 season was a significant turning point in Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey. At the age of 23 years and 142 days, he was given the captaincy, which made him the youngest captain for DC franchise and the fourth-youngest in any IPL side in history.
Iyer smashed a match-winning knock of 93* runs off 40 balls against KKR in his captaincy debut. In the 8 matches he captained, DC won 4 out of them, showing a 50% winning rate.
Leading from the front: The Delhi Capitals Era (2019-2022)
Shreyas Iyer posing with the IPL trophy in 2020. Image | NDTV
Iyer continued as a captain, leading the franchise into a new, more successful era from 2019 onwards. He led the team into the playoffs for the first time in seven years, finishing third in the league stage in IPL 2019.
He also had a strong season with the bat, scoring 463 runs.
Under his strong leadership, Delhi Capitals reached their maiden IPL final in the history of the tournament in IPL 2020. While the team lost to Mumbai Indians in the finals, Iyer's captaincy was highly praised.
He scored 65* runs off 50 balls in the final match.
Iyer's stats for DC (2015-2021)
Throughout his captaincy tenure (2018-2020), Iyer consistently contributed with the bat. His best season with the bat was in IPL 2020, when he scored 519 runs in 17 matches.
He was succeeded by Rishabh Pant as the captain in IPL 2021 season.
Season
Matches
Runs
Highest
SR
50s
2015
14
439
83
128.36
4
2016
6
30
19
69.76
0
2017
12
338
96
139.09
2
2018
14
411
93*
132.58
4
2019
16
463
67
119.94
3
2020
17
519
88*
123.27
3
2021
8
175
47*
102.33
0
He scored a total of 2375 runs in 87 matches for Delhi Capitals.
A new chapter: KKR and the title glory (2022-2024)
Shreyas Iyer's poolside pose with the IPL trophy won in 2024. Image | India Today
Shreyas Iyer entered the 2022 mega auction and was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for โน12.25 crore, and was immediately appointed as the new captain.
His first year with KKR concluded with a 7th position finish in the points table, and him scoring 401 runs in 14 matches total.
Missing a season (2023)
Iyer was ruled out entirely of IPL 2023 due to his back injury and Nitish Rana stepped in as the captain for KKR during his absence. He eventually recovered and made a grand comeback in the next season.
The Champion season: Leading KKR to their 3rd IPL title
The 2024 IPL season under Iyer's captaincy was nothing short of a fairy tale for KKR, and they got the ending they deserved. They dominated the game throughout the tournament and finished at the top of the points table.
Things even accelerated in the playoffs, where KKR delivered stunning team performances. They finally clinched the IPL title by defeating SRH by 8 wickets in the Final.
Shreyas Iyer speaking at the press conference before the final match of IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
The reigning champion, KKR, made a big decision to not retain Shreyas Iyer ahead he mega auction, which left the fans shocked. However, Punjab Kings acquired him for โน26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history.
He was appointed as the captain and consistently proved how he was worth every penny!
Punjab Kings often struggled for consistency in their earlier seasons, and Shreyas completely changed the narrative for them this year. He started this season for the franchise with a selfless 97*, sacrificing his maiden IPL century, and led the team to 9 wins out of 14 matches.
Under his captaincy, the team not only qualified for the playoffs after 11 years, but also finished at the top of the table in league stage.
Leading PBKS to a historic Final
After breaking the 11-year drought of qualifying for playoffs, the team also reached their first final since 2014. Shreyas Iyer single-handedly made this possible with his match-winning knock of 87* off 41 balls in the Qualifier 2. He also became the captain with most 50+ scores in IPL playoffs.
Punjab put up an extremely tough fight for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final, ultimately losing by just 6 runs. Iyer's impact was undeniable for PBKS, who made this season a memorable one for them.
He also became the first captain to lead 3 different teams to the IPL Finals (DC in 2020, KKR in 2024, and PBKS in 2025).
Shreyas Iyer was the highest-scorer for PBKS in 2025 and finished 6th in the Orange Cap leaderboard. He also smashed 39 sixes in this season, which overall the second-highest.
Most successful teams in T20 leagues around the world
Discover the most successful teams in T20 leagues around the world, including winners from IPL, Big Bash, CPL and more. From IPL's CSK to SA20's SEC, find out who leads the chart.
T20 cricket is defined by explosive performances and relentless competition. Beyond the thrill of individual matches, the true quality of a team lies in its ability to consistently dominate the game.
Check out the most successful teams in T20 leagues around the world and their unmatched legacy in tournaments like Indian Premier League, Big Bash League, Carribbean Premier League, and more.
From the subcontinent to Australia and the Carribbean, here's the teams with highest achievements in the shortest format of cricket.
Chennai Super Kings (5 Titles) | IPL
CSK lifting their 5th IPL title in 2023. Image | Instagram
Chennai Super Kings stand as one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having 5 titles to their name. Under the brilliant leadership of MS Dhoni, this team has reached the playoffs 10 times out of their 16 seasons played in the tournament.
CSK is known for adapting well in different conditions, calmness under pressure, strategic use of spin bowlers, and the deep batting line-up that balances the team.
Mumbai Indians winning their first IPL title in 2013. Image | IPLT20
Sharing the top spot with 5 titles, Mumbai Indians, is another big successful team of IPL. Their journey began under the leadership of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting, with Rohit Sharma leading the team to five victories in the end.
The MI franchise identifies and nurtures raw talent, transforming them into match-winners. Their success credits intelligent auction buys, strong core of retained players, and good support staffs.
They won the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020 IPL seasons.
Perth Scorchers (5 Titles) | BBL
Perth Scorchers celebrating their win in Big Bash League. Image | BBC
In the Australian Big Bash League (BBL), Perth Scorchers are the undisputed champions, also with 5 titles. They are known for their consistent home dominance, making Optus Stadium in Perth a fortress, where opponents rarely win.
Players like Adam Voges, Ashton Turner, and Andrew Tye have been central figures in their success. The franchise focus on picking players who perfectly fit in their style and thrive in Australian conditions.
They won 2013-14, 2014-15, 2016-17, 2021-22, and 2022-23 BBL seasons.
Jaffna Kings celebrating their LPL win in 2021. Image | cricketnmore
Jaffna Kings have quickly become the top team in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), winning 4 titles in a short time. Their former captain Thisara Perera and Shoaib Malik have been vital to their winning streak.
They won the inaugural season of the tournament in 2020, and moved forward with three-in-a-row wins (2021, 2022). They also won the title in 2024 season.
They form the squad with an equal balance of smart bowling and power-hitting with Sri Lankan players and impactful international stars.
Trinbago Knight Riders (4 Titles) | CPL
Trinbago Knight Riders celebrating their victory in CPL 2020. Image | ESPNcricinfo
Trinbago Knight Riders are the most successful successful team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), with 4 titles. The franchise is owned by the Knight Riders group, which also owns the KKR team in IPL.
Legendary players like Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine have been cornerstones of their success. Their consistently attracting and keeping strong players, along with their dominant approach for the game, makes them a truly formidable side.
The won the 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2024 CPL seasons.
Comilla Victorians celebrating their fourth BPL win in 2023. Image | ESPNcricinfo
In the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL),Comilla Victorians have become the leading team with 4 titles. They have wonevery final they played in, showing incredible success rate.
Key players like Tamim Iqbal and the exceptional captain Imrul Kayes have played major roles in their historic journey.
They won the title in 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2023 BPL seasons.
Islamabad United (3 Titles) | PSL
Islamabad United celebrating their 3rd PSL victory in 2024. Image | PSL
Islamabad United stands out in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), not just for their 3 titles, but also for winning the inaugural final. Their early double titles have strengthened their presence in the tournament.
Legendary players include their former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, and more recently, the all-rounder captain Shadab Khan have notable contributions in their PSL journey.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape lifting the SA20 cup in 2023. Image | Instagram
Sunrisers Eastern Cape are the only team to have won the SA20 title 2 times. They also hold the record for most wins in a single season of the tournament (9 wins in 2024).
Owned by the Indian SUN group, which also owns SRH team in IPL, have strategically picked players who turned out to be match-winners. Outstanding bowling performances from Marco Jansen and Ottneil Baartman played a key role in their memorable victories, along with good captaincy of Aiden Markram.
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