Key points
- Faf du Plessis has predicted possible captaincy changes at Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027.
- Du Plessis named Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh as possible LSG captains after Rishabh Pant moved back to Delhi Capitals.
- Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya, if traded to KKR, were suggested as possible successors for Kolkata.
- Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah were du Plessis’ two potential choices to lead Mumbai Indians.
- The four-player trade between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad saw Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards move to CSK, while Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis joined SRH.
- A report citing IANS said Punjab Kings were ahead in discussions to acquire Hardik Pandya, but the proposed trade had not been formally completed.
- The IPL retention deadline was reported as November 17 ahead of the 2027 season.
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis believes three franchises could enter the 2027 Indian Premier League season with new leaders. In comments shared through an ESPNcricinfo video, the South African identified possible captaincy options for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI), with the teams facing different leadership questions ahead of the next campaign.
Du Plessis suggested Aiden Markram or Mitchell Marsh for Lucknow, Rinku Singh or a potential Hardik Pandya arrival for Kolkata, and Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah for Mumbai. These are his predictions rather than confirmed franchise decisions. The speculation comes as player trades and retention discussions gather pace before IPL 2027.
LSG weigh options after Rishabh Pant’s departure
Lucknow Super Giants need to consider their leadership structure after Rishabh Pant moved back to Delhi Capitals. Du Plessis identified two players already familiar with the franchise setup: South Africa’s Aiden Markram and Australia’s Mitchell Marsh.
Markram brings leadership experience from international cricket and franchise T20 competitions. Marsh has also captained Australia and offers an all-round option. Either appointment would allow LSG to choose from players already in their squad rather than necessarily looking outside the group.
Lucknow have yet to win the IPL and, as reported in the coverage, finished seventh in each of the previous two seasons. A new captain would be tasked with providing stability and helping the team improve its consistency. The franchise has not officially announced a successor to Pant.
Rinku Singh or Hardik Pandya for KKR?
Kolkata Knight Riders also face uncertainty over their next captain. Ajinkya Rahane, who led the team in the 2026 season, has retired from all forms of cricket, leaving a potential vacancy in the leadership group.
Du Plessis named Rinku Singh as one possible choice. Rinku’s case includes domestic leadership experience: he captained Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 title in 2024 and a runners-up finish in 2025. He has also taken on leadership responsibilities with Uttar Pradesh in List A cricket.
Hardik Pandya is the other name mentioned for KKR, but that possibility depends on a trade that has not been confirmed. Reports around the transfer market have linked several franchises with Pandya. One report citing IANS said Punjab Kings were ahead in discussions with Mumbai Indians, while KKR, Rajasthan Royals and LSG were also mentioned as interested teams. Until the franchises and the IPL confirm a deal, any captaincy scenario involving Pandya remains conditional.
KKR have also endured two seasons without reaching the playoffs, adding pressure to their decisions about squad composition and leadership. The franchise has not officially named its IPL 2027 captain.
Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah at Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians’ captaincy situation is another major talking point. Du Plessis suggested that the five-time champions could consider returning to Rohit Sharma or handing the role to Jasprit Bumrah if they decide to make a change.
Rohit has a strong record with the franchise, having led Mumbai to five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020. His experience and familiarity with the team make him an obvious candidate in any discussion about a possible leadership change.
Bumrah would represent a different option. The fast bowler has led India in Test cricket, but his experience as a franchise captain is limited. His tactical understanding and standing within the team could make him a candidate if Mumbai prefer a new leadership direction.
The uncertainty is linked in part to the future of current captain Hardik Pandya. Reports have discussed a possible move away from Mumbai, but there has been no official confirmation of a completed transfer. Mumbai finished ninth in the 2026 season, winning four of their 14 league matches, and the franchise will be looking to improve after a disappointing campaign.
IPL trade market adds to the captaincy debate
The leadership predictions arrive during an active trade period. The IPL announced a four-player deal between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad: Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards moved to CSK, while Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis joined SRH.
Attention has also centred on the possibility of a Hardik Pandya trade. The report said the November 17 retention deadline was approaching and that Punjab Kings had moved ahead in discussions, with other franchises also monitoring the situation. The proposed move and any player exchange remain subject to formal agreement and IPL approval.
Trades can alter more than a team's playing combination. They can also change the leadership options available to a franchise, particularly when an incoming player has international or domestic captaincy experience. That is why the situation around Pandya is relevant to both Mumbai and the teams linked with him.
Predictions, not appointments: what happens next?
Du Plessis’ comments provide a set of possible solutions for three franchises, but the final decisions will belong to the teams. LSG must settle on a successor to Pant, KKR need to address the vacancy following Rahane’s retirement, and Mumbai must decide how they want to structure their leadership group.
The next important stage is the retention and trade process ahead of the auction. Until official announcements are made, Markram, Marsh, Rinku, Pandya, Rohit and Bumrah should be viewed as names in a discussion rather than confirmed IPL 2027 captains.
For now, the most striking feature of du Plessis’ prediction is the range of leadership profiles he has identified: experienced international captains, a proven IPL title-winning leader and an emerging Indian player with domestic captaincy credentials. The choices could shape the direction of three franchises as they prepare for IPL 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Which IPL teams could have new captains in 2027 according to Faf du Plessis?
Faf du Plessis believes Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians could appoint new captains for IPL 2027. He named two possible candidates for each franchise, but these are predictions and none of the three teams has officially confirmed a new captain.
Who could captain Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2027?
Du Plessis identified Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh as possible LSG captains after Rishabh Pant moved back to Delhi Capitals. Both players bring leadership experience, and both were identified as options already associated with the Lucknow squad.
Who are the possible KKR captaincy candidates for IPL 2027?
Du Plessis suggested Rinku Singh as one option for Kolkata Knight Riders. He also mentioned Hardik Pandya, but only if the all-rounder is traded to KKR. Pandya’s reported transfer discussions have not amounted to a confirmed deal or captaincy appointment.
Could Rohit Sharma return as Mumbai Indians captain?
Rohit Sharma is one of the two names du Plessis suggested for Mumbai Indians. Rohit led the franchise to five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020. Jasprit Bumrah was the other potential captain named in the prediction.
Has Hardik Pandya been traded from Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027?
The reports cited in the article discuss a possible trade involving Hardik Pandya, with Punjab Kings described as being ahead in discussions. However, the move had not been formally completed or confirmed in the cited coverage. Any KKR captaincy possibility involving Pandya is therefore conditional.
Why might IPL teams change captains before the 2027 season?
The three franchises have different reasons to review their leadership. Rishabh Pant moved from LSG to Delhi Capitals, Ajinkya Rahane retired after leading KKR, and Mumbai Indians finished ninth in 2026 amid uncertainty over Hardik Pandya’s future. The franchises have not announced final captaincy decisions.