IPL 2019: Taking a look at all captains of the tournament

It’s less than a week now for the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to kick off and all franchises are busy with their final-minute tuning ups for the big event. Defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first match at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on March 23. The BCCI has so far announced the tournament’s fixture till April 5 as it was waiting for the Election Commission to unveil the schedule for the general elections starting April 11.

The IPL will feature eight teams who will play each other in home-and-away basis with the top four point-getters qualifying for the playoffs. The franchises organised their respective squads in the auction held in December last year and now they are looking for their picks to fire in the upcoming tournament. Some of the teams will be led by young prospects while some by accomplished captains and here we take a look at all the skippers of IPL 2019:

MS Dhoni (CSK): Mahi was back to captain his team which returned after two years of suspension and straightaway, he gave them their third title after 2010 and 2011. The 37-year-old had a good batting form last year and will hope to have the good run this year as well as a personal preparation for his final World Cup.

Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians): The Mumbaikar is the only other captain to win the IPL title thrice (2013, 2015 and 2017) and given the odd-year sequence, another crown could be waiting for him this year. Rohit will also look to rich exploits in the IPL as part of his own preparation for the WC.

Virat Kohli (RCB): Though Kohli has scaled quite a few heights as the captain of India, he hasn’t been as lucky in the IPL. He took RCB to the final in the 2016 edition but lost narrowly to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). This time, a revamped RCB will look to better their record in the tournament.

Dinesh Karthik (Kolkata Knight Riders): The experienced wicket-keeper-batsman filled the big shoes of Gautam Gambhir last year and did well in leading his team into the top three. Karthik’s personal goal of playing in the World Cup might be uncertain but the street-smart cricketer will not spare effort to give KKR their third title after 2012 and 2014.

Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals): The young batsman took up captaincy from Gambhir mid-way into the season last year after the latter’s failure with the bat and after an impressive show, is all set to lead the Capitals as a full-fledged skipper this time. Iyer was in good nick in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and his team will hope he continues with it.

Ajinkya Rahane (Rajasthan Royals): Rahane captained RR last year following the suspension of Steve Smith and is set to do the job this year as well. India’s Test vice-captain did a good job in taking RR to the playoffs last season after the franchise’s two years of suspension.

Kane Williamson (SRH): Like Rahane, New Zealander Williamson also replaced David Warner as the captain of SRH and had a wonderful season both with the bat and captaincy. The Sunrisers made their second final in the IPL but lost to Dhoni’s CSK in the title clash. He will lead the side this time as well.

Ravichandran Ashwin (Kings XI Punjab): The former CSK player was picked as the captain of the Kings last season and after having a good start, the team lost the plot midway and eventually failed to qualify for the knock-outs. Can Ashwin, a veteran off-spinner, bring the 2014 finalists their maiden IPL title?

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