5 most followed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 captains on Instagram

IPL 2026 will start on March 28 with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB won their first title in 2025 after beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The first doubleheader of the season will be on April 4. In the first match, Delhi Capitals (DC) will face the Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Later that day, the Gujarat Titans (GT) will play against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Ahmedabad.

The first doubleheader of the season is scheduled for April 4, starting with Delhi Capitals facing Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Later that day, the Gujarat Titans will take on the Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad, promising an action-packed day for cricket fans.

Beyond the thrill on the field, the IPL serves as a global platform that elevates players’ profiles off the pitch as well. Social media, especially Instagram, has become a key avenue for players to engage with fans, showcase their personalities, and strengthen their personal brand. The league’s blend of sporting excellence and digital presence makes it a unique phenomenon in the world of cricket.

Here are 5 most followed captains of IPL teams ahead of the 2026 season

Also read -IPL 2026: Top 5 IPL Captains with the Highest Win Percentage

5. Ruturaj Gaikwad (5.6 million)

Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain of the five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, ranks fifth on this list. The right-handed batter from Maharashtra has 5.6 million followers on Instagram. He is active on social media, sharing both his personal and professional life. Gaikwad will be preparing for a strong season and aims to return to India’s T20I team.

4. Shreyas Iyer (15.3 million)

Shreyas Iyer, captain of Punjab Kings, is known for his charismatic personality. The Mumbai-born right-hander has 15.3 million Instagram followers. Iyer is a former IPL-winning captain, having led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title in 2024. This season, he will again aim to lead Punjab Kings deep into the tournament after finishing as runners-up last year.

3. Rishabh Pant (16.3 million)

Rishabh Pant, captain of Lucknow Super Giants, is one of the most exciting cricketers today. The left-handed batter has 16.3 million Instagram followers, making him the third-most followed IPL captain. Pant is preparing hard for IPL 2026 and hopes to lead his team to its first trophy. He had a disappointing IPL 2025, scoring only 269 runs, but aims to perform much better this season.

2. Shubman Gill (19 million)

Shubman Gill, captain of the Gujarat Titans, is second on this list. The 26-year-old is also India’s current ODI and Test captain. He has 19 million followers on Instagram. Gill is one of the biggest names in Indian cricket and will look to lead his team to another IPL title this season.

1. Hardik Pandya (46.1 million)

The most followed IPL captain is Hardik Pandya of the Mumbai Indians. The star all-rounder has an impressive 46.1 million Instagram followers. Hardik, who leads one of the most successful IPL franchises alongside CSK, is known for his stylish lifestyle, which he shares on social media. He is coming off a strong performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he played a key role in India’s title defense.