Faf du Plessis to Steve Smith, Captains Who Failed to Win IPL but Led Their Teams to Titles in Other T20 Leagues

Winning a T20 league is a significant achievement for any cricketer, especially when leading a team as captain. While some captains have found success in various T20 leagues around the world, they have not been able to replicate that success in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Here’s a look at a few notable captains who have struggled to win an IPL title but have led their teams to glory in other T20 leagues.

Faf du Plessis: Leading Saint Lucia Kings to CPL Glory

Faf du Plessis recently tasted success as captain by leading Saint Lucia Kings to their maiden Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title in 2024. It was a significant milestone for du Plessis, marking his first T20 league win as a captain. The South African has a rich history in the IPL, having been a crucial player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in multiple title-winning campaigns.

However, his captaincy stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has not yet yielded an IPL trophy. Despite leading RCB to the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, the elusive title has remained out of reach. With his recent CPL win, RCB might hope that du Plessis’s newfound captaincy success could translate into an IPL triumph in the future.

Steve Smith: A Leader Beyond the IPL

Steve Smith, another prominent figure in T20 cricket, has had mixed fortunes as a captain in the IPL. He led Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) during his time in the league. Smith came tantalisingly close to lifting the IPL trophy with RPS in 2017, only to fall short in the final.

Despite this near-miss in the IPL, Smith has demonstrated his leadership skills in other leagues, winning titles with different teams. In 2011-12, he led the Sydney Sixers to victory in the inaugural season of the Big Bash League (BBL). More recently, he guided Washington Freedom to their maiden Major League Cricket (MLC) title in 2024. Smith’s success outside of the IPL highlights his ability to thrive in various conditions, even if an IPL title remains missing from his resume.

Aiden Markram: Consistent in SA20, Yet to Shine in IPL

Aiden Markram has proven himself as a dependable leader in the SA20 league, guiding Sunrisers Eastern Cape to back-to-back titles, including their most recent win in 2024. His leadership has been pivotal in establishing the team’s dominance in South Africa’s premier T20 league.

However, Markram's journey as captain in the IPL has been a different story. Leading Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in 2023, he was unable to replicate his SA20 success, with SRH struggling to find form throughout the season. Markram’s contrasting fortunes highlight how adapting to different leagues and conditions can be challenging for even the most capable leaders.

Kieron Pollard: A Caribbean T20 King, but Not in the IPL

Kieron Pollard, known for his T20 prowess, has found success as a captain in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), winning titles with both Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Tridents. Despite his influential presence in the IPL, he has never captained a team for a full season in the tournament.

While he has been a crucial part of Mumbai Indians’ (MI) successful runs as a player, Pollard’s leadership opportunities in the IPL have been limited, keeping him from achieving captaincy success in the league.

These examples illustrate how captains can excel in one T20 environment but face challenges in another. While their IPL journeys have been challenging, their triumphs in other leagues prove their capability and versatility as leaders.