The long-standing preference for Indian captains in the IPL should not prevent franchises from appointing overseas leaders when they offer the best chance of success, according to Sanjay Manjrekar. Speaking on the Sportstar podcast, the former India cricketer argued that leadership credentials should take precedence over nationality as teams seek to maximise their chances of winning titles.
The debate has resurfaced following a season in which several high-profile Indian captains faced scrutiny as their teams struggled to meet expectations. Leadership decisions have become an increasingly important discussion point across the league, particularly as franchises balance cricketing objectives with commercial considerations.
Captaincy should be based on leadership
Pointing to recent examples from the tournament, Manjrekar said, “I think we’ve also seen a lot of Indian captains struggle. You mentioned players like Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant. There have been quite a few Indian captains who haven’t quite delivered.”
The comments come after a campaign that saw multiple Indian captains come under pressure, including Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane.
Expanding on what he believes should guide captaincy appointments, he added, “My philosophy is simple: in T20 cricket, you need the best captain available. If that happens to be a foreign player, then so be it. David Warner captained successfully, Pat Cummins has done it as well.”
Only a handful of overseas captains have lifted the IPL trophy, but Manjrekar suggested that franchises should remain open to appointing foreign leaders when they are best suited to the role.
Why franchises favour Indian captains
While advocating a merit-based approach to captaincy, Manjrekar acknowledged that leadership decisions are often influenced by factors beyond on-field performance.
Discussing why teams continue to favour Indian captains, he said, “That said, there is a non-cricketing reason why franchises often prefer Indian captains. An Indian captain becomes the face of the franchise and strengthens the brand.”
The commercial appeal of Indian stars has traditionally played a major role in franchise strategy, particularly given their year-round availability and visibility within the domestic market.
Highlighting the marketing advantages associated with homegrown leaders, Manjrekar noted, “But let’s not forget that the IPL is also about brand value. An Indian captain naturally attracts more attention. Having someone like Rishabh Pant associated with a franchise, or Virat Kohli leading RCB in the past, creates a different dynamic and gives the team a stronger identity.”
Finding the right balance
The former India cricketer ultimately argued that franchises face a balancing act between strengthening their brand and improving their chances of success on the field.
Summing up his view on the issue, Manjrekar said, “Ultimately, franchises have to decide what is better for the brand and what is better for winning titles. Ideally, the captain should be someone who is genuinely a good leader, regardless of nationality.”
His remarks are likely to add fresh momentum to the debate around IPL captaincy, particularly as teams continue to evaluate whether leadership decisions should be driven primarily by cricketing considerations, commercial value, or a combination of both.
