IPL 2026 is preparing for another exciting season, and the captains’ meeting has already created a buzz among fans. During the official captains’ photoshoot event, a fun moment caught everyone’s attention when Axar Patel smashed two impressive sixes off Shreyas Iyer.
The moment happened during a casual practice hit at the event, but it quickly went viral on social media. Fans loved the short clip and saw it as a small preview of the thrilling cricket expected in the upcoming IPL season.
IPL 2026 to Feature All Indian Captains
One major highlight from the captains’ meeting is that all ten IPL teams will be led by Indian captains in 2026.
In earlier seasons, most teams had Indian leaders, but usually one or two teams had overseas captains. This season, the change became official after Ishan Kishan was appointed captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad following Pat Cummins’ injury.
This makes IPL 2026 the first season where every team captain is from India.
| Season Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Total IPL teams | 10 |
| Captains nationality | All Indian |
| Key captaincy change | Ishan Kishan named SRH captain |
| Previous captain | Pat Cummins (injured) |
This shift has added a new sense of identity to the tournament, with local leadership across all franchises.
Axar Patel’s Viral Moment at the Captains’ Event
The captains’ meet was mostly about official photos and discussions, but a playful cricket moment stole the spotlight.
Axar Patel picked up the bat and faced a few deliveries from Shreyas Iyer. During the short exchange, Patel launched two powerful sixes in a row.
Although it was not part of an official match, the shots impressed everyone present and quickly spread online. Fans praised Patel’s timing and clean hitting.
The clip became popular across platforms like Instagram, X, and Facebook within a few hours.
Also See : CSK Confirm New Opening Pair for IPL 2026: Sanju Samson to Partner Ruturaj Gaikwad
Key Rule Discussions Before IPL 2026
The captains’ meeting was also used to discuss several rule updates and operational decisions for the upcoming season.
Important Topics Discussed
- Bowlers may deliver two bouncers per over.
- Officials reviewed checks on bat size to ensure fairness.
- The rule for replacing a damaged or lost ball was discussed.
- Teams bowling second can request a ball change once after the 10th over to deal with dew in night matches.
- The Decision Review System (DRS) will now include reviews for height-based no-balls and wide deliveries outside the off stump using Hawk-Eye and ball-tracking technology.
These updates aim to make matches fairer and improve decision accuracy.
Debate Continues Over Impact Player Rule
One of the most debated topics during the meeting was the Impact Player rule.
The BCCI confirmed that the rule will remain in place until the 2027 IPL season. However, several captains have raised concerns about its effect on team balance.
Axar Patel shared his thoughts openly. As an all-rounder, he believes the rule reduces the importance of players who contribute with both bat and ball.
He explained that teams earlier preferred genuine all-rounders, but now they sometimes choose specialist batters or bowlers instead.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has also spoken against the rule in the past.
Despite the criticism, the board clarified that the rule will only be reviewed after the 2027 season.
The short clip of Axar Patel hitting two sixes became one of the first viral moments of IPL 2026.
Fans quickly shared the video online and praised Patel’s powerful shots. Many called it a perfect teaser for the tournament.
Even though it happened away from an actual match, the moment added excitement ahead of the new IPL season.
With the captains’ meeting completed and rule discussions finalized, teams are now preparing for the start of IPL 2026.
The tournament promises strong competition, new leadership across teams, and plenty of action on the field.
Moments like Axar Patel’s two sixes have already given fans a taste of the entertainment that IPL 2026 could bring.
CricketMAN2 will continue to share updates, highlights, and major news from the upcoming IPL season.
