A number of prominent Indian and international players, who might become the future captains of the two new IPL teams, have been released by their respective franchises. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, among others, will be on the radar of not only the two new clubs but also of numerous others seeking a new skipper ahead of the 2019 season.

KL Rahul: One of India’s most powerful batsmen in recent years, Rahul captained Punjab for two seasons in 2020 and 2021. On a personal level, Rahul was a decent hitter, but he was unable to lead his club to the playoffs in both seasons. Nonetheless, he has been one of the best batters in the game in recent years and has excellent leadership potential for his new organizations.

Shreyas Iyer: Another Indian talent with IPL captaincy experience, Shreyas Iyer would be on the radar of both new clubs for the captaincy position. His clout in the IPL has increased over time, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he was hired as a new skipper by one of the league’s teams. Iyer has a lot of experience in the IPL, having participated in 87 games. He has 2375 runs under his belt, with an average of more than 31.

David Warner: David Warner, one of the league’s finest foreign hitters in recent years, was sacked by his former side Sunrisers Hyderabad after a disagreement during the IPL 2021 season. He was the lone captain to guide SRH to an IPL title in 2016. Despite his significant captaincy experience, Warner has been a consistent performer as a batter in the IPL. He is top among foreign batters in league history and eighth overall with 5449 runs in 150 games at a remarkable average of more than 41.

Steve Smith: Smith has previously led the Rising Pune Supergiant and the Rajasthan Royals. He guided Rising Pune Supergiant to their first-ever final in 2017, when they were defeated by Mumbai Indians by a single run. Smith has been a member of the IPL since 2012, and he can be an excellent captain for any squad. In 103 IPL appearances, he has scored 2485 runs at an average of more than 34.

Ben Stokes: One of the top all-rounders in the world right now, Stokes was released by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the blockbuster auction and might spark a bidding war at the auction table. With his expertise, he is also an excellent contender for captaincy. Stokes is an important player for England across all forms and has excelled as an all-rounder. In 43 IPL matches, he has 920 runs and 28 wickets.