New Delhi: Ahead of the IPL 2026 season, two captains, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Kishan and Gujarat Titans’ Shubman Gill, were seen engaging in a witty and lighthearted banter. A video, in which the duo was seen pulling each other’s legs, became an instant hit with fans on social media.
Regular captain Pat Cummins will miss the opening matches of IPL 2026 due to a back injury, and in his absence, Ishan Kishan will lead SRH. In the video, Shubman and Ishan are seen teasing one another.
Shubman Gill: Poke fun at Ishan by Calling him a “Half-Captain
Shubman Gill was the first to poke fun at Ishan by calling him a “half-captain,” to which the SRH player replied that he would give his retort later. When asked to offer some advice to Ishan, the GT captain remarked that he “doesn’t give advice to half-captains.”
Responding to this, Ishan stated that he doesn’t take advice from anyone and is “a champion in his own right.” This lighthearted exchange between the two friends didn’t stop there. Ishan predicted that Shubman Gill wouldn’t be able to perform very well this season.
Shubman Gill Asked Ishan When Hyderabad had Last won a Title
In response, Shubman Gill asked Ishan when Hyderabad had last won a title. Kishan hit back by asking how many stars were on Gill’s jersey. When Gill repeated the question regarding SRH’s last title win, the two friends laughed and quipped, “Back when houses were made of mud and hearts were pure.”
Then, Shubman Gill made a witty remark, teasing Ishan by saying, “He wants to secure a spot in the ODI and Test teams.” The Indian Premier League 2026 is set to kick off this Saturday, with the tournament’s opening match scheduled between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Ishan is a Confident Player
Head Coach Daniel Vettori stated that the Sunrisers Hyderabad team management had absolutely no hesitation in entrusting Ishan Kishan with the acting captaincy, as he has proven himself to be a “confident player and leader.”
“I feel that Ishan has been playing in the IPL for quite a long time now. He has been with several teams, has worked with various squads, and has been extremely successful. Therefore, he brings with him the confidence derived from that experience,” Vettori said during a pre-match press conference held here on Friday.
His experience captaining both the U19 and state teams, plus winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year, shows he’s a confident individual, player, and leader, exactly what we sought when hiring him. “His relationship with Abhishek, as they are close friends and have a deep understanding of the team, convinces me that this season, these two will take the lead, guiding the team,” he stated.
Also Read: IPL 2026 RCB vs SRH: Virat Kohli’s Fifty Guides RCB to Six-Wicket Victory Over SRH
