The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) has proven challenging for captains, particularly Axar Patel of the Delhi Capitals and Riyan Parag of the Rajasthan Royals. Axar, struggling with his form, has scored only 100 runs across 12 matches, making him the lowest run-scorer among Indian captains. His team's performance has been equally disappointing, with five consecutive home losses leaving them near the bottom of the points table. Despite having two matches left, their chances of qualification appear slim. Ian Bell, the batting coach, highlighted the need for the team to rally around Axar, acknowledging that poor form is a natural part of cricket. On the other hand, Riyan Parag has 207 runs in 10 matches and has faced his own challenges, including an injury that disrupted his rhythm. Kumar Sangakkara, head coach of the Royals, noted Parag's growth as a leader and his commitment to understanding his players. Both captains are under pressure to perform as they lead their teams through the remainder of the season.