When Jasprit Bumrah walked out for the toss as Mumbai Indians skipper against Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, it instantly became a major talking point. Bumrah had already established himself as one of the league’s senior-most players, but surprisingly, he still does not own the record for the longest wait for becoming an IPL captain. That honour belongs to another Indian star. The latest development also reignited discussion around the most matches in IPL before leading a side, a list filled with experienced names who had to wait years before finally receiving leadership responsibility.
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Ravindra Jadeja – 200 Matches
Ravindra Jadeja currently sits at the top of the list for the longest wait for becoming an IPL captain. The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder had to wait until his 200th IPL appearance before finally leading a side in 2022, which remains the highest tally among players with the most matches in IPL before leading a side.
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Jadeja’s captaincy debut came against the Kolkata Knight Riders, where he faced immediate pressure. Batting lower down the order, he scored an unbeaten 26 off 28 deliveries and shared a steady partnership with MS Dhoni to help CSK reach a respectable total. However, his bowling spell did not go as planned as he went wicketless while conceding 25 runs in four overs. Chennai Super Kings managed only 131 runs and eventually lost the contest by six wickets, making it a difficult start to Jadeja’s leadership journey.
Jasprit Bumrah – 156 Matches
Jasprit Bumrah finally became the Mumbai Indians captain after 156 IPL matches, placing him second on the list of most matches in IPL before leading a side. His opportunity arrived during IPL 2026 after Hardik Pandya was ruled out with a back spasm and stand-in captain Suryakumar Yadav became unavailable for personal reasons.
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Bumrah’s captaincy debut came against the Punjab Kings in Dharamsala and immediately created history for the Mumbai Indians. The franchise became the first IPL team to have three Indian captains in the same season: Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Bumrah. At the toss, Bumrah joked that he never imagined becoming India’s Test captain before leading the Mumbai Indians. Although there were limited details regarding his personal performance in the match, the occasion itself stood out because it further highlighted the longest wait for becoming an IPL captain among several senior IPL stars.
Manish Pandey – 153 Matches
Manish Pandey had already spent years playing for different IPL franchises before finally receiving a captaincy opportunity. The experienced batter became skipper only after playing 153 matches, placing him among players with the most matches in IPL before leading a side. His debut as captain came for Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2021 season against the Mumbai Indians.
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Pandey made an immediate impact with the bat by scoring an unbeaten 69 off just 41 deliveries. He controlled the innings beautifully with a combination of calm strokeplay and aggressive hitting, keeping SRH competitive throughout the match. Despite his impressive knock, Sunrisers Hyderabad still failed to secure victory and ended up losing the contest. Even in defeat, Pandey’s innings remains one of the finest batting performances by a player making his debut as an IPL captain, showcasing his experience under pressure.
Axar Patel – 148 Matches
Axar Patel also endured a lengthy wait before entering the IPL captaincy club. The all-rounder played 148 matches before finally being handed leadership responsibilities by Delhi Capitals in 2024. Unlike some dramatic captaincy debuts that featured explosive batting displays, Axar’s first outing as skipper was more focused on tactical discipline and calm decision-making. Delhi Capitals trusted him because of his composed personality, leadership qualities and consistent all-round performances over several seasons.
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His debut match came during a difficult phase for the franchise as the side was still trying to build momentum and consistency. While his individual numbers from that game were not particularly eye-catching, Axar’s inclusion on this list once again highlighted how even dependable Indian performers sometimes experience the longest wait for becoming an IPL captain despite years of contribution to their franchises.
Kieron Pollard – 137 Matches
Kieron Pollard rounds off this unique list after waiting 137 IPL matches before captaining the Mumbai Indians. The powerful all-rounder finally received the opportunity during the 2019 season against Kings XI Punjab, now known as Punjab Kings.
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Pollard ensured his captaincy debut became unforgettable by producing one of the most destructive innings ever played by a first-time IPL skipper. He hammered 83 runs off just 31 deliveries and smashed nine massive sixes while almost single-handedly keeping the Mumbai Indians alive in the chase. His clean hitting completely changed the momentum of the contest for a brief period and entertained fans across the stadium. However, despite Pollard’s sensational effort with the bat, Mumbai Indians still failed to complete the chase and eventually lost the match, proving once again how difficult captaincy debuts can be in the IPL.
Conclusion
In many ways, this unusual list reflects how competitive and unpredictable the IPL has become over the years. Several players spent more than a decade proving themselves before finally receiving a captaincy opportunity.
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While some grabbed the spotlight instantly with memorable performances, others endured difficult starts under pressure. The stories of Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel and Kieron Pollard show that leadership in the IPL is often about timing as much as talent. With Bumrah now joining this elite group, fans were reminded once again that even the league’s biggest stars sometimes face the longest wait for becoming an IPL captain before finally leading their side.
