3 IPL teams that could appoint Temba Bavuma as captain in 2026

<p>South Africa emerged victorious in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 by defeating Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The Proteas, led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/temba-bavuma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Temba Bavuma</strong></a>, lifted an ICC trophy after a long wait of 27 years, their first since the 1998 Wills International Cup (later renamed as the Champions Trophy).</p>
<p>Bavuma led from the front, scoring 36 and 66 in the two innings against the defending champions Australia. His unbeaten record as Test captain has become a talking point and there are speculations that Bavuma might enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the 2026 mini-auction. If he does, several franchises would be keen to pick him not just as a player, but as a potential captain.</p>
<p>Here, let us take a look at three IPL teams that could consider Bavuma as their captain for the 2026 season.</p>
<hr>
<h2>3 IPL teams that could appoint Temba Bavuma as captain in 2026</h2>
<h3>1. Rajasthan Royals</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1744821695482_Sanju-Samson.jpeg" alt="Sanju Samson" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Sanju Samson (Source: IPL/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rajasthan Royals (RR) were led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/sanju-samson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sanju Samson</strong></a> in select matches during IPL 2025. But, recurring injuries disrupted his participation in the league. As a result, Riyan Parag stepped in as captain for the remaining fixtures but struggled to deliver significant success, with the team finishing ninth on the points table.</p>
<p>RR could be in search of a fit leader for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Bavuma could be the ideal fit for the RR. With his proven leadership on the international stage, Bavuma can blend into the Men in Pink and bring the needed direction to the franchise.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Delhi Capitals</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1744822498558_Axar-Patel-celebrating-wicket.jpeg" alt="Axar Patel celebrating wicket" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Axar Patel celebrating wicket (Source: Delhi Capitals/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Delhi Capitals (DC) started IPL 2025 on a promising note but failed in the latter half of the tournament, ultimately missing out on a playoff spot. The team saw a shuffle in leadership, with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/axar-patel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Axar Patel</strong></a> leading for most of the season and Faf du Plessis stepping in for the final matches due to injuries. Axar showed promise and handled responsibilities well but the captaincy never felt like a permanent solution.</p>
<p>Axar still needs more experience to develop as a full-time leader. DC might look for a seasoned captain to stabilise their campaign in IPL 2026 and Bavuma could be the perfect fit. His presence could give the leadership consistency for the franchise.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Lucknow Super Giants</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1747720802352_Rishabh-Pant.jpeg" alt="Rishabh Pant" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Rishabh Pant (Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rishabh Pant</strong></a> in IPL 2025, but his impact as captain was limited. Although he delivered a memorable century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), his performances and leadership overall were not as per the expectations.</p>
<p>Heading into IPL 2026, LSG could consider bringing in a more experienced player to guide the team, allowing Pant to focus on his batting without the burden of captaincy. Bavuma fits that requirement perfectly given his proven leadership record.</p>

<p>South Africa emerged victorious in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 by defeating Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The Proteas, led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/temba-bavuma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Temba Bavuma</strong></a>, lifted an ICC trophy after a long wait of 27 years, their first since the 1998 Wills International Cup (later renamed as the Champions Trophy).</p>
<p>Bavuma led from the front, scoring 36 and 66 in the two innings against the defending champions Australia. His unbeaten record as Test captain has become a talking point and there are speculations that Bavuma might enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the 2026 mini-auction. If he does, several franchises would be keen to pick him not just as a player, but as a potential captain.</p>
<p>Here, let us take a look at three IPL teams that could consider Bavuma as their captain for the 2026 season.</p>
<hr>
<h2>3 IPL teams that could appoint Temba Bavuma as captain in 2026</h2>
<h3>1. Rajasthan Royals</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1744821695482_Sanju-Samson.jpeg" alt="Sanju Samson" width="619" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Sanju Samson (Source: IPL/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rajasthan Royals (RR) were led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/sanju-samson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sanju Samson</strong></a> in select matches during IPL 2025. But, recurring injuries disrupted his participation in the league. As a result, Riyan Parag stepped in as captain for the remaining fixtures but struggled to deliver significant success, with the team finishing ninth on the points table.</p>
<p>RR could be in search of a fit leader for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Bavuma could be the ideal fit for the RR. With his proven leadership on the international stage, Bavuma can blend into the Men in Pink and bring the needed direction to the franchise.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Delhi Capitals</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1744822498558_Axar-Patel-celebrating-wicket.jpeg" alt="Axar Patel celebrating wicket" width="598" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Axar Patel celebrating wicket (Source: Delhi Capitals/X)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Delhi Capitals (DC) started IPL 2025 on a promising note but failed in the latter half of the tournament, ultimately missing out on a playoff spot. The team saw a shuffle in leadership, with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/axar-patel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Axar Patel</strong></a> leading for most of the season and Faf du Plessis stepping in for the final matches due to injuries. Axar showed promise and handled responsibilities well but the captaincy never felt like a permanent solution.</p>
<p>Axar still needs more experience to develop as a full-time leader. DC might look for a seasoned captain to stabilise their campaign in IPL 2026 and Bavuma could be the perfect fit. His presence could give the leadership consistency for the franchise.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Lucknow Super Giants</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1747720802352_Rishabh-Pant.jpeg" alt="Rishabh Pant" width="622" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Rishabh Pant (Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) were led by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rishabh Pant</strong></a> in IPL 2025, but his impact as captain was limited. Although he delivered a memorable century against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), his performances and leadership overall were not as per the expectations.</p>
<p>Heading into IPL 2026, LSG could consider bringing in a more experienced player to guide the team, allowing Pant to focus on his batting without the burden of captaincy. Bavuma fits that requirement perfectly given his proven leadership record.</p>

South Africa emerged victorious in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 by defeating Australia at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The Proteas, led by Temba Bavuma, lifted an ICC troph

3 IPL teams that could appoint Bavuma as captain in 2026

South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's on June 14.

Check out the top three IPL franchises that could appoint Temba Bavuma as their captain in IPL 2026 based on team needs, leadership gaps, and performance trends.