Rajat Patidar Pat Cummins. [Source - AP, AFP]IPL 2026 is heading towards a thrilling climax, with just a few league matches left before the playoffs. Fans are discussing over which captains have led their teams best under pressure, making the leadership race hotter than ever.Amid all the debates and speculation, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu revealed the much-anticipated best captains’ list. His insights shed light on who excelled in tactics, decision-making, and team management, shaping the narrative as IPL 2026 nears its final, high-stakes matches.Ambati Rayudu Places Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya as Worst IPL 2026 CaptainsAs discussions about IPL 2026’s best captains heat up, ESPN Cricinfo released a video of Ambati Rayudu sharing his IPL 2026 best captains' list. The former CSK batter didn’t hold back, analyzing leadership performances across ten teams.Rayudu immediately placed Rishabh Pant at the bottom, ranking him 10th. Under Pant, LSG have won just three of 11 matches and are already eliminated. His individual batting performances were also below par, contributing to what Rayudu considered a disappointing captaincy campaign.Hardik Pandya came in 9th, with Mumbai Indians experiencing a similarly poor season, already out of playoff contention. Axar Patel was placed seventh, with Rayudu noting that Delhi Capitals began strongly but could not sustain momentum, largely due to ineffective bowling performances under Axar's captaincy.Also Read: "Mumbai Indians Are Happy Without Hardik Pandya"- MS Dhoni's Trusted Man RevealsShreyas Iyer Out of Top 3, Ruturaj Gaikwad RisesRayudu placed Ajinkya Rahane seventh, despite KKR’s impressive mid-season comeback, while Riyan Parag came sixth due to Rajasthan Royals’ second-half bowling struggles. Punjab Kings’ disastrous bowling has impacted Shreyas Iyer’s standing in Ambati Rayudu’s IPL 2026 captain rankings. Despite Iyer’s consistent leadership over the past three seasons, his inability to find solutions for Punjab Kings’ bowling struggles.Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK skipper, earned fourth place ahead of Iyer. After losing their first three games, CSK staged a remarkable comeback, now comfortably positioned for the playoffs. Rayudu cited Gaikwad’s ability to inspire and stabilize his team as decisive.Shubman Gill Named IPL 2026 Best CaptainAmbati Rayudu’s top three IPL 2026 best captains reflect consistency, leadership, and team performance. Number three on his list is Pat Cummins. Despite joining his side late in the season, Cummins kept Sunrisers Hyderabad inside the top 4. Rajat Patidar ranks second, a choice hardly surprising as RCB currently sits atop the points table. He has combined personal form with strategic captaincy, guiding his side through crucial matches and sustaining momentum across the season.At number one, Shubman Gill earns the top spot in IPL 2026 best captains' list for the way he has utilized his bowlers. Gujarat Titans boast the best bowling numbers this season, and Gill’s leadership has been pivotal, making him Rayudu’s standout IPL 2026 captain.Watch the video below: ESPNcricinfo @ESPNcricinfo Ambati Rayudu ranks IPL 2026 captains 📊 May 15, 2026, 10:33 AM IPL 2026 Best Captains' ListShubman GillRajat PatidarPat CumminsRuturaj GaikwadShreyas IyerRiyan ParagAjinkya RahaneAxar PatelHardik PandyaRishabh PantAlso Read: When Is India-Sri Lanka-Afghanistan Tri Series? Full Schedule Released
