Due to the obvious short duration of a T20 tournament like the IPL, a skipper has a better chance of making an impact on his own. A spectacular cameo or two or three quick wickets can often be enough to turn the game around.
When it comes to captaincy performances in the IPL 2022, KL Rahul of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) stands out. He scored 537 runs in the league stage, including two hundreds and three half-centuries. Faf du Plessis (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and Shreyas Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders) have both put in some impressive performances. Hardik Pandya is the same way (Gujarat Titans). Sanju Samson (Rajasthan Royals) has made a few cameo appearances, but no one else has made a significant impact.
On an individual level, a number of captains have had disappointing seasons. Take a look at five IPL 2022 captains who have failed to lead from the front.
Kane Williamson – Sunrisers Hyderabad
When Kane Williamson took over as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain midway through last season and was retained as captain ahead of IPL 2022, there were high expectations. Williamson, on the other hand, has had a disastrous season at the plate.
He has 216 runs at an average of 19.64 in 13 matches. Everyone has been stunned by his strike rate of 93.51, which is far too high. Williamson was a liability for SRH at the top of the order, and it was too late when he decided to move to the middle of the order for the franchise’s previous game.
The New Zealand captain is without a doubt a gentleman. It would be an understatement to say that his performances in the IPL 2022 have been subpar. He’s had a terrible season. Williamson had to leave the biosphere to give birth to his child. It appears that the Hyderabad franchise will not keep him next season.
Mayank Agarwal – Punjab Kings
Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) has received a lot of praise for giving up his opening slot to allow Jonny Bairstow to partner Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order.
Without a doubt, it’s a commendable move, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s had a bad run with the bat. And, given how important he has been to PBKS’ fortunes in recent seasons, Agarwal’s failures have been devastating to the franchise.
He has only managed to score 195 runs at an average of 17.73 and a strike rate of 125 in 12 matches, with a single fifty. When compared to his previous two seasons’ performances, there is a significant difference.
In IPL 2021, Agarwal scored 441 runs in 12 games at a strike rate of 140.44, and 424 runs in 11 games at a strike rate of 156.45 in IPL 2020. The figures tell the sad story of Agarwal’s lack of interest in the willow this season.
Rishabh Pant – Delhi Capitals
Rishabh Pant, the captain of the Delhi Capitals (DC), has been one of the biggest disappointments of IPL 2022. Fans and critics alike had high expectations for him as the captain of the ship and one of the squad’s top performers.
However, the left-handed dasher has failed his team. His batting has been all or nothing, and he has been dismissed too many times after getting a quick start for the team’s liking.
Pant has 301 runs at an average of 30.10 in 13 matches. He has a strike rate of 157.59, but has yet to reach the half-century mark. Pant’s highest score in T20 cricket was 44, which is far too low for a middle order batter.
Given Delhi’s history of losing early wickets, Pant has had numerous opportunities to score big runs but has failed to capitalise.
Rohit Sharma – Mumbai Indians
Apart from winning five titles, Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians (MI) have had a couple of disappointing IPL seasons. However, this is one edition that the captain would like to forget.
Almost everything Mumbai has done this season has been a disaster, starting with the mega auction. As a result, they became the first team from IPL 2022 to be eliminated.
Rohit has also failed as a batter on an individual level. He has no half-centuries to show for his efforts with the willow after 13 matches. This figure demonstrates how difficult life has been for Rohit, who is otherwise calm.
He has a strike rate of 126.67 and has scored 266 runs at an average of 20.46. Rohit’s failures have only exacerbated MI’s problems in a depleted squad.
Ravindra Jadeja – Chennai Super Kings
Ravindra Jadeja, a senior Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder, had an odd IPL 2022 season. He went into the season with high expectations after replacing MS Dhoni as captain. He quit the bio-bubble amid rumours of an alleged rift with the Chennai management (a rib injury was given as the official reason for Jadeja’s departure).
Even to the untrained eye, Jadeja appeared to be struggling with the added responsibility of leading the side. It showed in his batting, bowling, and fielding. In ten matches, the 33-year-old scored 116 runs at an average of 19.33 and a strike rate of 118.37.
He took five wickets with his left-arm spin at an average of just under 50. Jadeja, arguably India’s best all-round fielder, also dropped a few catches, sitters by his standards.
After leading CSK to two wins in eight games, the franchise announced that Jadeja would relinquish the captaincy to Dhoni. He left the bio-bubble not long after. This is not the end of the story.
