The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is finally here, and the excitement among fans is building with anticipation for what the season has in store. Leadership of each team is going to be one of the biggest talking points before the season. Captains are what make a team and hence determine the team's performance, and a change in captaincy brings fresh strategies and energy. As teams prepare for another thrilling season, let's take a look at who might lead each franchise in IPL 2025. Hardik Pandya (MI) Image Source: BCCI Mumbai Indians made a coup by trading in Hardik Pandya from Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. However, Pandya couldn’t replicate his GT success at MI. In IPL 2024, which was Pandya’s maiden stint as Mumbai’s captain, the five-time champions ended up at the bottom of the table with only four wins to their name. However, the MI owners and management have retained their faith in Pandya, and the all-rounder will lead the side in IPL 2025. But pressure will be there on Pandya to deliver success in IPL 2025, more so in the presence of Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain. Also Read | How Much is BCCI Net Worth? The Net Worth Revealed! Shubman Gill (GT) Image Source: BCCI Expectations from Shubman Gill weren't really high in his maiden season as Gujarat Titans' captain in IPL 2024, given the immense success the franchise achieved under former skipper Hardik Pandya. Under Gill, the Titans finished eighth in the points table, winning five of 14 games. Gill is a more learned captain now, and expectations can be made for a playoff finish in IPL 2025 as GT have built an excellent squad at the mega auction. Sanju Samson (RR) Image Source: Getty Images Under Samson, RR finished as the runners-up in IPL 2022 and fell one step short of the IPL 2024 final, after being third in the points table. RR were brilliant last season too and were at the summit of the table at the halfway point, but their campaign derailed in the second half of the season. Samson, whose India career is also climbing up now, would be eager to take the franchise to their second IPL title in IPL 2025. Pat Cummins (SRH) Image Source: BCCI SRH, failing to make it to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from IPL 2021 to 2023, splurged INR 20.50 crores at the IPL 2024 mini-auction on ICC Cricket World Cup 2023-winning skipper Pat Cummins and gave him the captaincy. Cummins infused a culture of security and fearlessness in the SRH batsmen who went on a rampage in IPL 2024 and shattered several batting records. Under Cummins, SRH concluded last season at the second position of the points table and ended up as runners-up after losing the final to KKR. The Australian seamer will again lead SRH in IPL 2025. Also Read | Priyansh Arya: Family, Career, Records, IPL - All Details Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK) Image Source: Getty Images Ruturaj Gaikwad was made CSK captain for the IPL 2024 season after MS Dhoni passed on the baton. Gaikwad's CSK fell agonizingly short of making it to the playoffs after losing their last league game against RCB, who went through with a better net run rate. Gaikwad will look to do better as a captain in his second season. Shreyas Iyer (PBKS) Image Source: BCCI Shreyas Iyer won the IPL title last season with KKR, but he was released by the franchise ahead of the IPL 2025, and eventually the Punjab Kings packed him at a huge amount of 26.75. More likely, Shreyas Iyer is all set to be the skipper of the side for the IPL 2025 because PBKS has invested in him as a skipper of their team more than a batter. Rishabh Pant (LSG) Image Source: BCCI Nobody was expecting Rishabh Pant to go to the Lucknow SuperGiants, and now he is in their squad, and he is for sure going to be their skipper for the IPL 2025. He has also captained the Delhi Capitals and has a handful of experience as a skipper. Virat Kohli (RCB) Image Source: BCCI After releasing Faf du Plessis, RCB was in the hunt for a leader of their team for the IPL 2025, but surprisingly they could not add anyone suited for the position, and in that case, Virat Kohli is more likely to be the skipper of the side for the IPL 2025, and hopefully he can turn the luck into RCB’s side this time. KL Rahul (DC) Image Source: Getty Images KL Rhul was expected to be part of his old franchise, RCB, but they did not go for the veteran player, and he was sold to the Delhi Capitals in the auction. After releasing Rishabh Pant, DC is more likely to give KL Rahul the captaincy of the team. There are other options like Axar Patel as well, but KL Rahul is the potent choice for the team. Venkatesh Iyer (DC) Image Source: Getty Images After releasing their skipper Shreyas Iyer, KKR was one of the teams looking to buy a captain in the auction, and KL Rahul’s name was floating around. But surprisingly, they did not show bid for KL Rahul, and now they are left with Venkatesh Iye as the best choice for their skipper, and he is more likely to be their skipper for the IPL 2025.