Young Indian Captains in IPL Will Take Few More Years to Reach Levels of Dhoni, Rohit: Gavaskar

Speaking on Star Sports Press Room around the race to the play-offs and resumption of TATA IPL 2025, JioStar expert Sunil Gavaskar reflected on how the break in the league might impact team rhythm and shift the play-off dynamics:

"We’ve often seen a batter lose rhythm after spending time at the non-striker’s end without facing much strike—just that short pause can affect momentum. Similarly, the recent break in the tournament might slow down teams that were on a winning streak. For sides like Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, or Punjab Kings, the pause could help—they can reassess and figure out how to improve. The next 8–10 days will be very interesting. At the start, the league is like a marathon with 14 games. But now, with only 2-3 matches left, it’s a sprint to the finish—to break into the top four, or ideally, the top two."

JioStar expert Suresh Raina backed Royal Challengers Bengaluru to resume their campaign strongly and go the distance in finally bringing home the elusive TATA IPL trophy with Virat Kohli:

“There are strong chances because Royal Challengers Bengaluru is playing in a different league this year. They’ve defended scores like 150 and 136 at Chinnaswamy, and their bowling unit has stepped up. The new captain has beaten Chennai Super Kings twice—once in Chennai and again at home, which speaks volumes. The dressing room is positive, and these are signs of a team that can go all the way. Yes, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and Punjab Kings are also doing well, but this might finally be Virat’s year to lift the trophy after 18 years.”

Sunil Gavaskar also highlighted how the race for the Orange Cap mirrors team performance and showcases a range of batting styles, lighting up TATA IPL 2025:

“When you look at the Purple and Orange Cap leaders, you understand why teams are placed where they are. Gujarat Titans, for instance, have Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler among the top five run-scorers—no surprise they’re at the top. Royal Challengers Bengaluru too, with Kohli firing, is right up there. The Orange Cap this season has felt like a game of musical chairs—even the standings and top performers keep changing every other day. What makes it even more fascinating is how differently each batter scores: Suryakumar Yadav goes 360°, Gill and Sai Sudharsan stick to classical cricketing shots, and Buttler mixes it up beautifully. For fans at the ground or watching on screens, it’s been a real treat.”

Suresh Raina weighed in on the tight Orange Cap race, praising Suryakumar Yadav’s contributions despite batting lower in the order:

“The difference in runs between Orange Cap contenders is just two runs, eight runs, and ten runs, and Suryakumar Yadav deserves a lot of praise. He is not an opener and comes slightly lower in the order. Since the time Mahela Jayawardene gave him the number 3 position, the Mumbai Indians’ batting order has looked very strong. When you try to finish games from number 3, such runs come—and you win not just the Orange Cap, but the trophy as well.”

Looking ahead to India's leadership pipeline, Sunil Gavaskar evaluated the performance of young captains like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer in this TATA IPL:

“Young Indian captains in the IPL will take a few more years to reach the levels of our super captains—MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. Each brought a different approach: Dhoni was ‘Captain Cool,’ Rohit had a laid-back style, and Virat was energetic and positive. Shubman Gill also seems more competitive and involved, Rishabh Pant is always in the game from behind the stumps, and Shreyas Iyer has been superb. IPL is a high-pressure, fast-moving tournament—one of the best training grounds for future captains.”

Joining the conversation on India’s future captains, Suresh Raina explained how success in the TATA IPL can elevate a young leader’s stature within the national team setup:

“Young IPL captains think in a different, dynamic way. If Shubman Gill wins the IPL trophy and then goes for the captaincy in Test matches or ODIs, he’ll earn respect. The dressing room will feel different. A big tour is coming up. You won’t have Virat or Rohit in the dressing room. It’s about energy, character, and body language—Shubman and Hardik Pandya have that. When you win a trophy as a captain, you gain respect, and then when you make a decision, the selectors and the coach back you. Winning a title matters—it gives you credibility as a leader.”