List Of Wicketkeeper Captains Of IPL

List Of Wicketkeeper Captains Of IPL: Over the years, the Indian Premier League has had several dynamic leaders, but there are very few wicketkeepers who have had the honour of captaining their teams. In a recent announcement, Ishan Kishan will take over the captaincy of Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2026 IPL season from Pat Cummins and join the list of 11 players to have led an IPL team as a wicketkeeper.

List of Wicketkeeper Captains of IPL

1. MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings appointed Dhoni as the captain in the first IPL season (2008), and he became the first wicketkeeper captain in IPL history.

Matches as Captain: 235

Wins: 136 / Losses: 97

IPL Titles: 5

Dhoni is the best ever wicketkeeper captain, and has been an integral part of the entire history of the Indian Premier League.

2. Adam Gilchrist 

Gilchrist was the captain for Deccan Chargers (2008-2009) and Kings XI Punjab (2010-2013) during the course of his career.

Total Matches Played: 74

Total Matches Won: 35 / Total Matches Lost: 39

1x IPL Championship Winner: 2009 with Deccan Chargers

Like MS, Gilchrist has changed how the wicket keeper should play as a captain in the T20 format of the game.

3. Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum was appointed the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009.

Matches: 14

Wins: 3 / Losses: 10

Even though Brendon McCullum’s stint was short, he is still counted among the notable wicketkeeper captains in the history of the IPL.

4. Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara has been the captain of various teams, such as Kings XI Punjab and the Deccan Chargers.

Matches: 47

Wins: 15 / Losses: 30

5. Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders from 2018 to 2020.

Matches: 43

Wins: 21 / Losses: 21

Despite his experience, he was unable to win the title as captain.

6. KL Rahul

KL Rahul was the captain of Punjab Kings since 2020.

Matches: 64

Wins: 31 / Losses: 31

Despite his good performance as a player, he was unable to win the title as captain.

7. Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson took over Rajasthan Royals from 2021.

Matches: 67

Wins: 33 / Losses: 32

Achievement: IPL 2022 finalist

Sanju Samson has been a steadying influence and has led the team to a great campaign.

8. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant assumed the leadership position at Delhi Capitals in 2021. Later, he became the skipper of Lucknow Super Giants.

Matches: 57

Wins: 29 / Losses: 27

Rishabh Pant is known for his fearlessness and continues to grow as a leader.

9. Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel was the captain of Kochi Tuskers Kerala in a single match in 2011.

Matches: 1

Result: Loss

This stint may have been brief, but it was quite impressive.

10. Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran has been the captain in a single match in the IPL in 2024.

Matches: 1

Result: Win

A new and promising IPL captain with a flawless short record.

11. Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has now joined the elite list as the new captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2026.

Newly appointed wicketkeeper captain

Ishan Kishan represents the new generation of IPL captains

This marks a new chapter in the history of Wicketkeeper captains of IPL.

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