New Delhi: Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan were involved in some fun banter during the captains’ meet ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. IPL 2026 is all set to get underway on Saturday, January 28, with Kishan-led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) taking on defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Gill trolled Kishan over his appointment as SRH’s interim captain during the captains’ meet ahead of IPL 2026. Kishan will lead the Sunrisers in their first few matches of the season in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins, who is yet to gain match fitness, having recovered from a lumbar stress fracture.
In a video shared by Star Sports, Gill can be seen mocking Kishan, calling him a ‘half captain’. When asked what advice he has for Kishan, who will be leading in the IPL for the first time in his career, Gill playfully said he doesn’t share advice for ‘half captains’.
“Ye aadha captain hai (He is half captain),” Gill said, mocking Kishan after the anchor introduced the two skippers. “Mai poora jawab baad mai dunga, abhi keh sakte hai ki mai half captain hu (I will respond later, yeah you can say I am a half captain),” Ishan responded to Gill’s jibe.
“Yaar mai sirf full captains ko advice deta hu (I only give advice to full captains),” said Gill when asked what advice he has for Kishan. Kishan responded by saying he doesn’t take any advice and that he is a champion in himself. The duo’s banter caught the attention of the fans ahead of the start of the season.
Watch Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill’s banter ahead of IPL 2026:
POV: You and your best friend are leading your teams in the #TATAIPL 2026! 🤩🏏
The banter was 💯 when Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill caught up at #CaptainsDay 🤩
1 day to go! #TATAIPL 2026 👉 #RCBvSRH | SAT, 28th MAR, 5:30 PM pic.twitter.com/lO6yKVBVIS
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 27, 2026
Gill and Kishan will be leading their respective teams in IPL 2026. Both teams missed out on the playoffs last season and will be looking to make it to the top four this year as they aim to lift their second title, respectively. SRH last won the IPL in 2016, while Gujarat Titans won their maiden title in their debut season in 2022 and have since failed to lift the trophy again.
SRH take on RCB in IPL 2026 opener
Sunrisers Hyderabad will open their IPL 2026 campaign against the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a blockbuster clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. While SRH will be without their skipper Pat Cummins in their opener, RCB will miss the services of experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood, who is set to miss the first few games for his team this season.