IPL 2024: Unveiling the Designated Backup Captains for Each Team.

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With the IPL 2024 looming just a couple of weeks away, the anticipation for the tournament is steadily growing.

The IPL stands tall as the premier T20 league in cricket, boasting worldwide recognition and fervent fan following. Its prominence in the sporting realm is rivaled only by the likes of the NBA and NFL, positioned just behind these global giants and towering over even the English Premier League in terms of spectacle and allure.

As the IPL 2024 draws near, teams are still ironing out their support staff and leadership roles.

Notably, Sunrisers Hyderabad is yet to finalize their captain for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, a significant shake-up occurred as Mumbai Indians replaced their five-time IPL-winning skipper Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya.

While most teams have settled on their captains for IPL 2024, the announcement of vice-captains or backup options remains pending.

In this article, let's explore potential players whom franchises could entrust with leadership responsibilities in dire situations.

Here are the backup captains of each team for IPL 2024:

1. Mumbai Indians - Suryakumar Yadav

Mumbai Indians will see a change in leadership after a decade as IPL 2024 approaches. Rohit Sharma, who led the team to five titles, has passed the captain's baton to Hardik Pandya. During Sharma's tenure, Suryakumar Yadav served as his deputy.

Yet, it's uncertain if Yadav will retain his role as vice-captain. The MI management may opt for new perspectives. While Yadav has captaincy experience with India, players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ishan Kishan could also be in the mix for consideration.

2. Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad

MS Dhoni is set to lead Chennai Super Kings once more in IPL 2024, likely for the final time.

At 42, Dhoni still appears remarkably fit, but even he acknowledges that his playing days won't last forever. With his sharp mind, Dhoni must have already identified his successor.

Chennai Super Kings previously experimented with Ravindra Jadeja as captain in IPL 2022, but the move didn't yield success. However, a more promising option for vice-captain and potential future CSK skipper is Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gaikwad possesses a similar calm and composed demeanor as Dhoni and boasts captaincy experience in domestic cricket. He even led India to a gold medal in the Asian Games 2022.

Gaikwad is also considered a frontrunner for the future captaincy of the Indian team, making him a likely choice as Dhoni's deputy in IPL 2024.

3. Royal Challengers Bangalore - Virat Kohli

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will continue to be led by Faf du Plessis in IPL 2024.

Du Plessis has been a commendable captain for RCB in the past two seasons, showcasing his leadership skills on the field. With notable batting performances, scoring 438 runs in IPL 2022 and 730 runs in IPL 2023, du Plessis has been a vital asset for the team. Despite narrowly missing out on playoff qualifications, du Plessis' captaincy received widespread praise.

For the backup captaincy role, RCB has an ideal candidate in Virat Kohli.

In IPL 2023, when du Plessis missed a couple of games, Kohli stepped up and led the team admirably. It seemed as though Kohli hadn't skipped a beat since stepping down from captaincy in 2021. Additionally, RCB also has the option of Glenn Maxwell if they prefer an overseas leader in case of need.

4. Delhi Capitals - David Warner

In IPL 2023, David Warner stepped in to captain the Delhi Capitals when Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to a serious car accident. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best season for the franchise, narrowly avoiding finishing last.

Now, with Pant's return for IPL 2024, there's speculation that Warner might assume the role of vice-captain. Previously, when Pant led the team, Axar Patel served as vice-captain, retaining the position when Warner took over.

It's yet to be announced who will officially hold the vice-captain title for the upcoming season.

5. Kolkata Knight Riders — Nitish Rana

Shreyas Iyer is set to make a comeback in IPL 2024 as the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, having missed IPL 2023 due to a back injury.

Despite his setback, he showcased his form in the 2023 World Cup, scoring over 550 runs with two centuries. However, concerns about his back resurfaced during the second Test against England.

During Iyer's absence in IPL 2023, Nitish Rana filled in as captain for KKR, leading the team effectively. It's likely that Rana will continue as Iyer's deputy in IPL 2024. With his decent batting performance, although inconsistent bowling cost them a playoff spot, KKR can rely on Rana to step up if Iyer faces any issues with his back.

6. Rajasthan Royals - Jos Buttler

After a disappointing IPL 2023 following their high of reaching the final in IPL 2022, the Rajasthan-based franchise is gearing up for the seventeenth edition under the leadership of Sanju Samson. Samson has proven to be a capable captain for the team in recent seasons and will continue to lead them.

As for the vice-captain or backup captain role, Rajasthan Royals have an excellent option in Jos Buttler.

The English T20 World Cup 2022-winning captain has been a part of Rajasthan for a long time and is celebrated in his own right as a captain. However, the responsibility of leadership remains with Samson for now.

7. Sunrisers Hyderabad - Aiden Markram

It might come as a surprise to some that Aiden Markram is named as the backup captain for Sunrisers Hyderabad, considering his stint as captain in IPL 2023 didn't yield favorable results, with the team finishing at the bottom of the points table.

Despite leading SRH's sister franchise, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, to two SA20 league titles, Markram's captaincy in IPL wasn't quite inspiring.

However, the franchise has announced that the reins will now be handed over to the expensive buy, Pat Cummins, for the upcoming season.

Cummins, who had a remarkable run as Australia's captain in 2023, clinching both the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, comes with high expectations.

With a whopping salary of INR 20.50 CR, Cummins might just be the change SRH needs to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming season.

8. Gujarat Titans - Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan served as the vice-captain of the Gujarat Titans in the last two IPL seasons, stepping up to lead the team in some matches when Hardik Pandya was sidelined due to recurring back issues.

Rashid's leadership skills, honed through his captaincy for Afghanistan, have left a positive impression.

His international captaincy experience will prove valuable as he steps in to support Shubman Gill, who takes over as captain for GT in IPL 2024.

With Hardik Pandya's departure to Mumbai Indians, the vice-captain position was left vacant, making Rashid Khan an ideal choice.

Gill will also benefit from the guidance of seasoned players like Kane Williamson and Matthew Wade, alongside Rashid Khan.

9. Lucknow Super Giants - Nicholas Pooran

Nicholas Pooran has been appointed as the vice-captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), as announced on social media. He will support KL Rahul, who previously captained LSG.

Pooran steps into the role previously held by Krunal Pandya. Pandya led LSG to the IPL 2023 playoffs after Rahul's injury sidelined him for the latter part of the tournament.

In the last season, Pooran showcased his prowess in the middle order for the Lucknow-based franchise, amassing 358 runs in 15 matches with an impressive strike rate of 172.95. His standout performance includes a spectacular 137* off 55 balls in the Major League Cricket final for MI New York.

Additionally, Pooran led MI Emirates to victory in the ILT20 league held in the United Arab Emirates.

10. Punjab Kings - Sam Curran

Punjab Kings have emerged as a formidable force with strategic acquisitions at the 2024 auctions.

Shikhar Dhawan retains the captaincy for this year, maintaining stability in leadership. However, the question of deputy captaincy has lingered.

In 2023, Dhawan's injury led to Sam Curran assuming leadership temporarily. However, this dual role affected Curran's individual performance and the team's standing in the points table suffered.

Should the management continue to place trust in Curran's capabilities, he could be appointed as Dhawan's deputy.

Nevertheless, the experience and skills of Jonny Bairstow also warrant consideration, presenting a challenging decision for the franchise owners.