The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a rollercoaster ride for cricketers, fans, and franchises alike. It’s a tournament known for its unpredictability, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. One of the most intriguing aspects of the IPL is the mid-season captaincy changes, which can be both surprising and impactful. In this article, we’ll delve into the stories of five IPL captains who were dismissed mid-season, shedding light on their journeys within the league.
Ravindra Jadeja – Chennai Super Kings
Ravindra Jadeja, often referred to as “Sir Jadeja,” found himself at the helm of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 200. Unfortunately, his tenure as captain got off to a rocky start as the Yellow Army managed only two wins from their first eight matches. The team management decided to make a change and reappointed the iconic MS Dhoni as captain. Jadeja, however, continued to be an integral part of CSK. In IPL 2022, he played just two matches under Dhoni before an injury sidelined him. Despite rumors of a rift, Jadeja chose to remain loyal to CSK and even led them to an IPL title, symbolizing unity by hugging Dhoni.
Shikhar Dhawan – Sunrisers Hyderabad
Shikhar Dhawan, the ‘Gabbar’ of Indian cricket, was entrusted with the captaincy of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2014. Unfortunately, Dhawan couldn’t complete the season as captain due to SRH’s subpar performance with just four wins from ten matches. He was replaced by Daren Sammy mid-season. However, Dhawan continued his association with SRH, playing under different captains like Sammy and David Warner, until he eventually moved to Delhi Capitals in 2019. His journey saw a change in colors, but his consistency as a batsman remained unaltered.
David Warner – Sunrisers Hyderabad
One of the most controversial captaincy changes occurred in IPL 2021 when David Warner was shockingly sacked as the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad. This decision came after SRH’s underwhelming performance in the first half of the season. To add to the drama, Warner was not only dismissed from the captaincy but also dropped from the playing XI. Despite the abrupt end to his SRH captaincy, Warner’s talent remained undeniable. He moved on to the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2022 and was eventually appointed as their captain in IPL 2023, making a triumphant return to leadership. Notably, Warner is SRH’s only IPL-winning captain to date.
Ajinkya Rahane – Rajasthan Royals
Ajinkya Rahane was handed the captaincy of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2018 after Steve Smith’s one-year ban. He continued to lead the team even upon Smith’s return in 2019. However, midway through the season, RR decided to part ways with Rahane, even when it was clear that Smith wouldn’t be available for the entire season. Rahane made the strategic move to Delhi Capitals before IPL 2020, where he found a new home and played under the leadership of another iconic captain, MS Dhoni.
David Miller – Kings XI Punjab
In IPL 2016, David Miller took on the responsibility of captaining Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). However, his captaincy stint was short-lived as the franchise managed only one win from five matches. Miller was replaced by Murali Vijay, but he remained with Punjab until 2019, contributing as a valuable member of the squad.
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