Shreyas Iyer to Steve Smith: Players who captained three teams in IPL history
From Shreyas Iyer to Steve Smith, a select few players have had the unique experience of leading three different franchises in IPL history. Here's a quick look at these versatile leaders and their journeys across teams.
Shreyas Iyer began his IPL captaincy stint with Delhi Capitals in 2018 and later led KKR, even guiding them to the 2024 title. Surprisingly released after the win, Iyer was snapped up by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega-auction and named captain. So far, he's led them with purpose—and the team has looked sharp under his leadership.
Ajinkya Rahane is another familiar name on this list. The veteran Indian batter had a short captaincy spell with Rising Pune Supergiant, leading them in just one match in IPL 2017. He later took charge of Rajasthan Royals in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Now in IPL 2025, Rahane is leading the Kolkata Knight Riders, bringing his calm leadership style to a new chapter in his IPL journey.
Steve Smith has had a memorable run as an IPL captain, having led teams like Rajasthan Royals, Pune Warriors, and Rising Pune Supergiant. His most notable stint came with RPS, where he guided the team to the IPL 2017 final. Despite his strong leadership record and cricketing pedigree, Smith has surprisingly remained unsold in IPL mega-auctions since 2022, leaving fans wondering if the league has seen the last of him.
Mahela Jayawardene brought his calm leadership to three IPL teams during his playing days—Punjab Kings, Kochi Tuskers, and Delhi Capitals. Now, the Sri Lankan legend continues to leave his mark on the league as the head coach of Mumbai Indians, guiding them to three IPL titles and cementing his legacy off the field as well.
Before hanging up his boots in the IPL, Kumar Sangakkara led three franchises—Punjab Kings, Deccan Chargers, and Sunrisers Hyderabad—bringing his trademark elegance and calm to each side. While his playing days are over, Sangakkara continues to shape the league from behind the scenes, now serving as the director of cricket for Rajasthan Royals.
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