For the first time in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), all ten franchises will be led by Indian players.In the previous edition, every team except Sunrisers Hyderabad had an Indian captain. Their skipper, Pat Cummins, is likely to miss the first few matches this season due to injury. In his absence, Ishan Kishan is expected to lead the side.In the early years of the IPL, franchises generally entrusted leadership roles to prominent overseas players such as Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Steven Smith, and Mahela Jayawardene. Over time, however, teams shifted toward appointing Indian captains, prioritising long-term planning, continuity, and a stronger team identity.Across the 18 editions of the IPL, teams led by overseas captains have won only three titles, while Indian-led sides have claimed the trophy 15 times.Shane Warne guided the underdog Rajasthan Royals to victory in the inaugural 2008 season. The following year, Adam Gilchrist led the Deccan Chargers to the title. In 2016, David Warner captained Sunrisers Hyderabad to their maiden championship. On all other occasions, Indian captains have lifted the trophy.Notably, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are the most successful franchises in IPL history, with five titles each.