Faf du Plessis has shared his thoughts on the potential leaders of Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians.

Du Plessis has identified two possible captaincy candidates for each franchise.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 season could bring significant leadership changes across several franchises, with three teams potentially considering new captains following disappointing campaigns or changes in their squad structure. As franchises prepare for the upcoming season, questions surrounding captaincy have become an important part of their preparations.

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis has shared his thoughts on the potential leaders of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s YouTube channel, the experienced cricketer identified two possible candidates for each franchise, including established international players and emerging Indian leaders.

South African and Australian star among Faf du Plessis’ choices for LSG

Lucknow Super Giants could enter IPL 2027 with a new captain after finishing at the bottom of the points table in the 2026 season under Rishabh Pant. The franchise’s leadership situation has changed further following Pant’s return to Delhi Capitals through a trade involving Kuldeep Yadav.

With the captaincy position now vacant, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh have emerged as potential candidates. Both players are already part of Lucknow’s squad, making them convenient options if the franchise prefers to appoint someone without bringing in an external player.

Du Plessis mentioned both overseas all-rounders as possible choices to take responsibility for the team. Markram brings international leadership experience, while Marsh has also captained Australia in international cricket. The decision will be particularly important for LSG as they look to recover from their disappointing ninth-season campaign and build a stronger combination for IPL 2027.

Du Plessis reveals KKR captains

Kolkata Knight Riders also face a leadership question ahead of the next season. Ajinkya Rahane, who captained the franchise for two seasons, retired from all forms of cricket in July, leaving the position open. Du Plessis identified Rinku Singh and a potential traded-in Hardik Pandya as two candidates for the role.

Rinku’s leadership credentials are supported by his performances in domestic cricket. He guided the Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 title in 2024 before finishing as runner-up the following year. He has also taken up leadership responsibilities with Uttar Pradesh in List A cricket, beginning with the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Pandya, meanwhile, could become an option if a trade brings him to Kolkata. However, such a move remains a possibility rather than a confirmed development.

2 veterans for Mumbai Indians leadership

Mumbai Indians endured another difficult IPL campaign in 2026, winning just four of their 14 league matches and finishing ninth in the standings. It marked the second time in three seasons under Pandya’s captaincy that the five-time champions failed to qualify for the playoffs. Consequently, discussions surrounding the team’s leadership could become increasingly important ahead of IPL 2027.

Du Plessis suggested two familiar names for the Mumbai captaincy: Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Rohit remains a strong candidate given his remarkable record with the franchise. He led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles between 2013 and 2020, establishing himself as one of the most successful captains in the tournament’s history.

Bumrah represents another possibility. Although he has captained India in Test cricket, his experience leading franchise teams has been limited. Whether Mumbai consider returning to Rohit or entrusting Bumrah with the responsibility remains to be seen as the franchise evaluates its leadership options.