Islamabad, 23 March 2025: Ajinkya Rahane made history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by becoming the first Indian player to captain three different franchises in the tournament.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain achieved this milestone during the IPL 2025 season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
This match marked Rahane’s 26th outing as an IPL captain, following previous stints with Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR).
Rahane’s IPL captaincy journey began in 2017 when he captained RPS for one match.
He then led Rajasthan Royals in 24 matches across the 2018 and 2019 seasons before stepping up to the KKR leadership role in 2025.
Several cricketers have previously captained multiple IPL franchises. Among them, Steve Smith led three teams: Pune Warriors India, Rajasthan Royals, and Rising Pune Supergiant.
Mahela Jayawardene also captained multiple franchises, including Punjab Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Delhi Capitals.
Elite List of Three-Team IPL Captains
| Player | Teams Captained |
|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara | Punjab Kings (13), Deccan Chargers (25), Sunrisers Hyderabad (9) |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Punjab Kings (1), Kochi Tuskers Kerala (13), Delhi Capitals (16) |
| Steve Smith | Pune Warriors India (1), Rising Pune Supergiant (15), Rajasthan Royals (27) |
| Ajinkya Rahane | Rising Pune Supergiant (1), Rajasthan Royals (24), Kolkata Knight Riders (1) |
As Rahane sets this record, another significant milestone is on the horizon. Shreyas Iyer, who has captained both Delhi Capitals and KKR, is set to lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
Iyer, who was bought for ₹26.75 crore, aims to become the first captain to win an IPL title with two different teams.
Rahane’s achievement reflects his leadership acumen and his continued prominence in the IPL, a tournament he has now helped shape across multiple franchises.
