The Indian Premier League (IPL) has introduced us to a host of world-class batters who have taken Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the cleaners. Year after year, a few players have made a habit of scoring big against RCB, making them a formidable challenge for the franchise. Take a detailed look at the top five batters with the most runs against RCB in IPL history.

1. MS Dhoni 

That’s because the legendary MS Dhoni has been an absolute monstrosity of a nightmare for RCB bowlers, amassing 864 runs in just 36 matches. With a staggering average of 39.27 and a high strike rate of 141.87, Dhoni has played plenty of game-winning finishing innings against RCB. His top score of 84* is still one of the most epic and best innings ever played against them.

Also Read: IPL 2025: KKR vs SRH - A Head to Head breakdown

2. David Warner

One of the most destructive batters in the history of IPL has been David Warner, especially against RCB. The explosive left-hander has an astounding 862 runs in just 23 innings at a strike rate of 160.52 and an average of 41.04. Against RCB, Warner has a hundred and nine fifties, with a best score of 100*.

3. Rohit Sharma 

Our very own Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain, has hogged the limelight during his clashes against RCB, scoring 831 runs in 33 matches. His capacity to deliver match-winning innings has previously wreaked havoc on RCB’s bowling lineup. At an average of 27.70 and with a strike rate of 136.22, he has seven fifties to his name, with a high score of 94.

Also Read: Top 5 openers in IPL according to Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli not in the list

4. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has been one of the most reliable players against RCB, with 745 runs in 23 innings to his name. With an incredible knack for pacing innings and cranking it up when the game calls for it, he’s become one of the most challenging hitters to retire. Rahane has a hundred and four half-centuries against RCB, with his highest score being 103*.

5 . Ambati Rayudu 

Consistently a solid performer against RCB, Ambati Rayudu is truly a thorn in RCB’s side with 728 runs in just 25 innings. Averaging 31.65 with a strike rate of 123.59, Rayudu has played important innings in his teams’ successes. His best score against RCB to date is 82.

The seasoned David Warner will captain the Karachi Kings for the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season after serving with distinction for Australia and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite his controversial reputation across the world, he is known for his batting prowess and exceptional leadership attributes. With Warner at the helm, the Kings will hope for a commanding performance this season.

Warner Provided with Captaincy Reasons

Warner’s signing as the franchise’s primary PSL 2025 draft pick is quite a coup, as he is regarded as one of the most sought-after captains, alongside being one of the most devastating left-handed openers in the world. While consolidating his immense popularity, he shared, “I'm honored to captain Karachi Kings and look forward to bringing my experience to the team," However, for him, leading the team to a PSL title would be the ultimate touch to such a monumental success.

Meet the new captain of Karachi Kings.#davidwarner #KarachiKings #psl2025 #SportsInfoCricket pic.twitter.com/RBr3AgMrjm

— SportsInfo Cricket (@SportsInfo11983) March 24, 2025

ALSO READ: Mitchell Marsh smashes IPL 2025’s fastest fifty against DC.

Thank You Notes by Karachi Kings to Shan Masood

The transitioning of leadership will not be seamless, and bridging the gap would appear to Masood, who has been trying to help with the transition since PSL 2024. He certainly laid the groundwork after shifting the franchise into a plausible shape. The Super Kings are set to kick off their campaign for PSL 2025 on April 12, with the dream opener against Karachi Sultans hoping to accompany Warner for an exciting season.

David Warner Dances with Ketika Sharma at Robin Hood Event

Australian cricketer David Warner is no stranger to entertainment. At the latest 'Robin Hood' event, he took everyone by surprise by dancing with actress Ketika Sharma. The evening was full of thrill, and Warner's dance routine was a central highlight of the night.

David Warner's Love for Dance
David Warner has long been interested in Indian culture, particularly Telugu films and music. He posts numerous dance clips on social media, dancing to popular Telugu songs. He is adored by his fans for his fervor and relished watching him perform with excitement.

#DavidWarner Bai Shakes his Leg with Ketika at #RobinHood Event😂👌 pic.twitter.com/YyuW1dwXsy

— Movies4u Official (@Movies4u_Officl) March 23, 2025

ALSO READ:Malti Chahar’s Hilarious Instagram Story Sparks Laughter After CSK vs. MI Clash

Robin Hood Event Highlights
The 'Robin Hood' festival was a gala event that welcomed several celebrities and fans. Warner, wearing informal clothing, took the stage and joined Ketika Sharma for an energetic dance number. The fans cheered as the pair synchronized their steps to current hits.

In addition to dancing with Ketika Sharma, Warner also danced with actress Sreeleela. His active personality and affable nature made the function even more entertaining for the audience.

David Warner glimpse in the trailer. Reports says he has 15 min screen time. pic.twitter.com/i07CHa4ijz

— DW STAN (@122manchester_) March 23, 2025

Australian cricketer David Warner, who is a renowned fan of Tollywood films, is finally going to make his much-hyped Telugu film debut. The 38-year-old batsman, who has a special rapport with Telugu fans due to his successful journey with SunRisers Hyderabad, will be seen in the upcoming movie Robinhood, which features Nithiin and Sreeleela in the lead roles and is directed by Venky Kudumula.

The buzz about Warner's cameo grew stronger after he started following Nithiin and Venky Kudumula on Instagram, indicating that he would be a part of the project. There were reports that the cricketer shot his scene when the film's Australia schedule was on in September 2024. Now, finally silencing the rumors for months, the producer Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers officially announced Warner's cameo during the pre-release event of Kingston in Hyderabad.

David Warner is set to make his acting debut in the Telugu film Robinhood! 🎬🔥

Producer Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movies (Pushpa makers) confirmed the news, stating that Warner has played a small role in the film. Exciting times ahead! 🏏🎥 #DavidWarner #Robinhood #Tollywood pic.twitter.com/DPossLu3mN

— HK Chronicle (@HK_Chronicle_) March 5, 2025

ALSO SEE: Indian Coach Gautam Gambhir Gives A Benefiting Reply To Journalist Asking About Captain Rohit Form

"David Warner has appeared in a cameo in the film. It'll be thrilling," Shankar divulged, even more heightening the expectations for the movie.

Warner's Affection for Telugu Cinema

Warner has been expressing his fondness for Tollywood consistently through his viral Instagram reels, where he has grooved to Allu Arjun's blockbuster songs from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo and Pushpa. His spirited interaction with Telugu cinema and its fans has endeared him to the hearts of the people in the region.

In the footsteps of Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan (Double XL), Sreesanth (Askar 2), Harbhajan Singh (Mujhse Shaadi Karoge), Irfan Pathan (Cobra), and Ajay Jadeja (Khel), Warner is the newest cricket star to venture into acting. Although nothing has been said about his character in Robinhood, fans await anxiously to know if he carries his energetic and fun-loving personality on the big screen

With Warner's appearance now officially announced, Robinhood is now among the most eagerly anticipated Telugu movies. The fans can hardly wait to witness what surprises this Australian cricketer has for them!

Let’s picture the world of cricket as if it were scripted sports entertainment, with its promos and betrayals and over-the-top feuds.

The Ultimate Heel: David Warner

Like every great wrestling story, it needed a top bad guy and David Warner is it. With his combative on-field persona, volatile temperament and background of controversies , Warner would make an ideal heel. Picture Warner racing out to the crease, delivering heel promos and flaunting dismissals. He loved leaning into being the villain, heckling the other players, working up the audience into a frenzied bitterness and looked an awfully lot like a familiar video game villain.

In second place:

Virat Kohli:  His intensity, fishy celebrations and passionate sledging would have jeopardized his "villain' tag in the enemy camp.

Gautam Gambhir:  Gambhir’s no-nonsense approach and his tussles with the opposition mean he is never found wanting for back-and-forths, making him a natural villain.

The Ultimate Babyface: MS Dhoni

Every wrestling promotion needs an overbabyface, and when it comes to cricket, there’s no bigger babyface than MS Dhoni. Level-headed in a crisis, adored by fans across the globe and a late-over finish wizard, Dhoni is the picture of heroism. Imagine the sound of the entrance music that accompanies Dhoni so perfectly for so many years, while the fans are cheering and falling over themselves while he walks to the crease, his eyes glazed. He is always controlled, the ideal hero against the game’s most infamous heels.

In second place:

Sachin Tendulkar: Tendulkar is the most loved cricketer in history — the John Cena of cricket for always fighting for the audience, no matter which team they support, respected by all players and the epitome of sportsmanship.

Kane Williamson: The nice guy of cricket that all sport needs, Williamson’s sportsmanship and disposition are too good to pass up for a fairytale.

Nations Over Cricket: An Iconic Feuds in a Cricket-WWE Universe

Warner vs Dhoni (Corporate Champion vs People’s Champion) – it’s Warner the cocky heel, fronting a frillionaire IPL party, versus Dhoni the man of the people who plays for the love of the game.

Kohli vs. Smith (The Intensity Showdown) – An ultra-competitive battle between two skillful players, aggressive in their styles and prepared to get into each other head.

Gambhir vs. Kohli (Faction Warfare) – It actually has in real life! Now actually visualize doing this two top rival stables paving the way for the largest faction war in cricket WWE history.

If cricket had ever taken a leaf out of the WWE playbook, global sporting field would be an entertainment flow like never before. The sledging would become scripted promos, the rivalries played up as grudge matches, and every match larger-than-life storytelling. Until then, all we can do is savour the natural drama of cricket the way it plays out in real life, which-let’s be real-at times follows the well-trodden path of WWE!

Also Read:- Indian Flag Waves High at Karachi's National Stadium on Champions Trophy 2025 Opening

Setbacks and Resilience: Kane Williamson’s Current T20 Challenges

Kane Williamson used to be extremely popular in cricket, especially for being the captain of New Zealand's team and because everyone really respected him--but the last few years have been tough for him. In the 2025 PSL draft, they didn't even pick him in the main rounds, which kind of tells he isn't as important in T20 cricket leagues as he used to be. Instead, he was excellently put into the supplementary round and ended up on the Karachi Kings team with David Warner and Shan Masood.

David Warner Joins Karachi Kings for PSL 2025: A Star Addition in the Draft

Karachi Kings scored big in the PSL 2025 player draft by picking Australian star player David Warner. The man brings a large amount of experience and a really aggressive manner of playing, which is exceptionally wonderful for the team. Mr. Warner's teaming up with Shan Masood and Kane Williamson, making their top order look very impressive. Together, they're hoping to make a big difference in the tournament and take Karachi Kings to the top.

The Karachi Kings' top order received a major boost with Warner joining the mix, alongside Shan Masood and Kane Williamson. Warner is apparently concentrated on attacking and trying new ways, while Shan keeps things steady, and Williamson plays in a traditional way. They make a diverse team that can handle any kind of difficult situation.

Warner’s partnership with Shan and Williamson is expected to set the tone for the team’s batting performances, ensuring strong starts in the powerplay and consistency throughout the innings.

ALSO READ: IPL 2025 to Implement ICC Code of Conduct with Significant Rule Changes

Platinum Category 

In the Platinum category, Karachi Kings have picked David Warner, while Lahore Qalandars have selected Darrell Mitchell.  Peshawar Zalmi secured Tom Kohler-Cadmore through the Right to Match in the Platinum category, while New Zealand's Mark Chapman was acquired by Quetta Gladiators. Michael Bracewell has joined Multan Sultans, New Zealand's Adam Milne has been selected by Karachi Kings, and Finn Allen has joined Quetta Gladiators in the Platinum Category

Big deal New Zealand cricketer, is having a hard time in his sports career today. The manner in which cricket teams are reconfiguring their game lately, his antiquated style isn't fitting in so well anymore. Even though he's had some serious success in his past, he wasn't picked in the main parts of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 draft, and also was passed for the IPL 2025 player auction. This shows how things are changing in T20 cricket and how what's wanted from players is different now.

PSL 2025: Supplementary Round Selection

In the PSL draft, Williamson, put in the special Platinum group, didn't get picked at first which was very unexpected. Several other players from New Zealand, such as Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Finn Allen, and Mark Chapman, got chosen earlier. This clearly demonstrates how tough the competition was to get selected--but then, in the supplementary round, Williamson obtained his chance to join the Karachi Kings. He's going to be playing alongside Shan Masood and David Warner there.

This development underscores the challenges Williamson faces in a format that now prioritizes explosive hitting and unconventional shot-making over a more classical style of play. With a T20I strike rate of 122.79 and a career average of 30, Williamson’s steady and anchoring approach has struggled to keep pace with the power-centric demands of T20 leagues.

The reunion of David Warner and Kane Williamson is loading in PSL 2025 🫂 pic.twitter.com/5u90Xa0Pp1

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) January 13, 2025

Legacy vs. T20 Evolution

Williamson, who is 34 years old, has scored an amazing 2,575 runs in T20Is, making him the second-highest run-scorer for New Zealand, despite how T20 cricket has changed. Nowadays, teams truly desire players who can hit the ball in special ways and have fast scoring rates. This shift doesn't favor traditional players whose focus is solely on perfect timing and skilled technique. Yet, Williamson's career still shows how much T20 cricket has grown and changed.

Speaking about his focus, Williamson remarked, “There are a number of exciting competitions, and SA20 looks really appealing. Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract, but my priority is still playing for New Zealand.” This commitment to his national team underscores his enduring passion for cricket, even as he faces hurdles in franchise leagues.

David Warner, who's amazing great skills and a large amount of experience, has joined the Karachi Kings and everyone's discussing it. The man has shown he can win in T20 games. His being on the team for PSL 2025 is of significant consequence and really enhances the Karachi Kings' industry.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Australian batter to deliver fireworks with the bat and guide Karachi Kings toward a successful campaign. With Warner in their ranks, Karachi Kings look poised to be one of the most formidable teams in the league.

IPL 2025 to Begin on March 23: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla Confirms

The Indian Premier League's 18th season is starting on March 23, 2025, and everyone's very happy about it. Cricket fans all over the world are very happy because of the announcement from BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla. They're preparing for more exciting T20 cricket matches.

Key Dates and Schedule

The IPL 2025 is set for March 23 we're getting 74 matches. They're keeping things the same as before so that players don't become overloaded and fans have a lot of enjoyment. After two full months of cricket fun, everything wraps up with the final game on May 25.

#WATCH | Mumbai: BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla says, "Devajit Saikia elected new BCCI secretary and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia elects as BCCI treasurer...IPL is going to start from 23rd March..." pic.twitter.com/Jd6x7U8Hou

— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2025

Venue and Broadcasting Updates

The league will keep up with its tradition and hold matches in several different cities. This helps bring the major cricket event closer to fans. They're planning to have the tournament in India, and the matches are going to be in famous stadiums in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi, and some others. Unfortunately, they have not informed us the exact match schedule and where each game will be played, though.

This season's broadcasts will not be the same because Viacom18 and Star India merged and now they say their name is Jiostar. Because of the new setup, when people watch the IPL, which is already the top cricket league in the world, it's going to be much nicer. They're bringing in marvelously novel technology and going deeper into the games, so fans should prepare for something unique.

ALSO READ:Jemimah Rodrigues' Maiden Century and India's Record-Breaking ODI Triumph Against Ireland

IPL 2025 Auction: New Look Teams After Mega Auction in Jeddah

The player-auction for the IPL 2025, which took place in November. It happened over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where 182 players found new teams for a hefty total of Rs 639.15 crore. First, the 10 teams made sure to hold onto their important players then, they had the sincere intention to strengthen drastically their lineups by adding a combo of seasoned professionals and fresh, exciting rookies.This event brought significant changes to how the teams look.

Auction Highlights and Key Players

The main key news at the auction was Rishabh Pant setting a new record by being sold for a very high price of Rs 27 crore, making him the priciest player the IPL has ever seen. Right behind him, Shreyas Iyer went for Rs 26.75 crore, and Venkatesh Iyer wasn't far off with a sale at Rs 23.75 crore. Mostly, the bidding war was apparently concentrated on two main groups of players, and a portion of the largest names in the industry ended up getting very large offers.

Teams moved forward fighting for the best cricketers during the auction. Several new players joined the IPL now, making the auction unfathomably intense and memorable. Many teams spent a lot of money, even going above their budget, to acquire major-name players, including some who had a good run with the teams they played for before.

But the auction had some unexpected moments too. Major names such as David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Shardul Thakur didn't attract any offers, surprising everyone. This made the auction even more unpredictable and exciting.

Foreign Players Registered for PSL 2025 Draft: Complete List for Season 10

Also, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), hitting a major milestone since it's headed into its 10th season come 2025. They're planning to make PSL Season 10 the largest and best one yet with top-notch cricket and an intensity that's very high. The season is going to begin on April 10 and run until May 25, 2025, showcasing a portion of the brightest stars in cricket, from local heroes to international important names but before the main games even start, everyone is getting very excited for the Player Draft happening on January 11, 2025, in Gwadar, Balochistan.

ALSO READ:RCB’s Star Signing Jacob Bethell Impresses with Crucial Knock in BBL 2025

They say this event is one of the major highlights before the season even begins.This year, there are more cricket players from different countries signing up for the PSL draft than ever before. It shows how the league is becoming more important all over the world. We will take a close look at the players who have signed up, organizing them by their home country.

This year's PSL 2025 draft is preparing carefully to be interesting-to an inordinate extent-with more than 34 cricket players from around the world ready to join the competition. Major names including Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, and Tom Curran from England are really leading the way for everyone else. Wanting to do as well, cricket stars from Australia and New Zealand, like David Warner and the recently retired Tim Southee, are joining the group.In addition we've excellent players from Bangladesh, such as Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman, making fully sure the tournament is replete with talent.

Country-Wise List of Players Registered for PSL Draft 2025

David Warner's Hilarious LBW Mix-Up in BBL 2024-25

At a Major Bash League (BBL) game on January 3, 2025, something amusing happened that cricket fans enjoyed. The match was between the Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers. Australian cricketer David Warner ended up being the main part of a strange happening. Warner thought he was out because the ball hit his leg instead of the bat and started walking off the field but then they said he wasn't out and called him back.

ALSO READ:Ryan Rickelton's Maiden Test Century: A Landmark Knock Against Pakistan

What Happened?

In the middle of trying to score 178 runs which the Scorchers had set for them, the Thunder team witnessed a silly event. Warner thought the ball from spinner Matthew Spoors, which hit him on the pads in the 10th over, was going to knock the stumps over. Without even looking to see what the umpire thought, he started heading back to the pavilion, thinking he was out.

Everyone was surprised, especially Warner, when for a review of the umpire's call. The field umpire initially believed Warner wasn't out but when they checked with ball-tracking technology, it turned out the ball only hit the stumps lightly. At the start, it seemed unsure if the review would change anything.

Realizing his premature walk-off, Warner returned to the crease, bringing laughter and smiles to players and spectators alike.

David Warner was walking off the field after this Scorchers review looked good...

But, it wasn't out, so he walked back to the middle! #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/Xw4THtCKLH

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 3, 2025

Fans React

All over the internet, people and cricket buffs were posting videos of Warner's mix-up, and it spread inordinately speedily. This proved that cricket can be a little relaxed at times, showing even stars like Warner make mistakes now and then. The official BBL Facebook page even threw in a joke, saying it was obvious Warner wasn't focused.

The Indian Premier League has played a pivotal role in being the benchmark of how cricketing tournaments should be unfolded. From being lucrative to enticing several fanatics, the IPL has shown it all, with the players being the backbone of it.

With teams or franchises acting as the initiator and face of it, some players and team combinations have worked tremendously. At the same time, there were a few that were forgettable. That said, through this listicle, we dive deep into the top IPL campaigners betrayed by their respective teams across the tournament's timeline. 

David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

David Warner's shocking exit from the Sunrisers Hyderabad has bewildered many followers, primarily when the same swashbuckling left-hand batter led them to their first-ever title in the 2016 edition. It all started in the 2021 edition when he couldn't deliver the desired performances as a captain, and the team's management took the harsh step of sacking him as the captain for the season's midway.

In the second half of the season, the franchise dropped and blocked Warner on social media. Warner's expression was filled with sadness as he brought drinks for his squad during matches. Despite his substantial accomplishments and loyalty to the Orange team, it is unsurprising that this is a perfect example of a franchise betraying a devoted cricketing campaigner inside the IPL ecosystem.

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Suresh Raina, a.k.a Mr IPL, sadly gets his name to this list. Raina was one of the Chennai Super Kings' longest-serving players, spending 12 years with them. From IPL 2008 to 2015, the left-handed batter was entirely devoted to the Yellow Army, missing no matches. But in 2022, CSK dismissed him and opted not to bid for their former vice-captain. Raina got unsold and did not receive a decent farewell from IPL.

Two years later, Raina has broken his silence on the subject, adding that he is delighted to see MS Dhoni still playing and should not be sad. Nonetheless, it has sparked a lot of suspicion among die-hard fans, mainly because he is the tournament's fifth-highest run-getter. As it suggests, this makes him one of the players who deserved a befitting end to an illustrious IPL stint.

Yuzvendra Chahal (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

India's current spinmeister, Yuzvendra Chahal, Royal Challengers Bengaluru purchased Chahal during the IPL 2014 auctions, and he proved to be an excellent addition to the Bangalore-based team. His achievements at RCB won him a call-up to India's white ball teams, and he quickly established himself as the country's go-to spinner in both T20I and ODIs. However, ahead of the major auction in 2022, RCB chose to release Chahal, who the Rajasthan Royals then signed.

Mike Hesson, the franchise's director of cricket at the time, recalled the phone conversation in which Chahal expressed frustration and displeasure, which was an apparent reaction from a frequent contributor. Still, many fans believe he should have been retained and played for a long time, as he's known for his consistency.

Sourav Ganguly (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Sourav Ganguly, an Indian cricketing great, was released by his home team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, and the release of 'Dada' surprised many fans and critics, who raised their voices and criticised the Knight Riders' massive action for a short time. Ganguly's stay with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was fraught with controversy. He was named captain for the first season, but the club failed to reach the semi-finals.

Then, in 2009, he was fired as captain, and before the 2011 auction, he was also dismissed as a player. It all started when the current CEO, Venky Mysore, held the team's responsibility and first took this major decision, which wasn't that difficult for him, as it was a matter of getting the team to triumph. 

See Also: IPL 2025: The ₹23.75 crore gamble that could define KKR's IPL 2025 campaign

Adam Gilchrist (Deccan Chargers)

Adam Gilchrist has been one of the most incredible wicketkeeper batters in the sporting world. He has gained prominence in the Aussies cricket space and aroused dominance in the IPL through his impeccable stint for the now-defunct franchise, the Deccan Chargers. The side had a forgettable start in the inaugural edition, and no one believed that the same team would go on to win the second-ever IPL title under the helms of Adam Gilchrist.

But, as was the case for many, Gilchrist was surprisingly not retained for the 2011 IPL season, which aroused a big question mark. In an interview in 2017, Gilchrist didn't have a definite answer and was equally perplexed, like the others, behind his release as he still believed that he had some game left for the franchise. 

Mohammed Siraj (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Mohammed Siraj has become a reliable Indian pacer in the International space thanks to his commendable and eight-long years of contribution to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Known for having a loyal fanbase, RCB had its priorities straight in going for a massive restructuring across all the departments. Though Siraj has been consistent in his wicket-taking abilities and has leaked some critical runs, there is no denying that the speedster has shown promise in recent international encounters.

With a large amount of purse and a couple of Right-to-Match cards (RTM) available, many anticipated him to return to the squad, but that did not happen. The main reason for this is the overall restructuring, and many supporters believe he should have received an RTM and stayed with the franchise. 

Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)

Many expected Rishabh Pant to stay because he had virtually become the franchise's face. Pant's name, however, did not appear on Delhi Capital's retention list. Despite not playing a T20I since his vehicle accident in December 2022, he returned well in the IPL 2024, scoring 446 runs and earning a position in India's T20 World Cup-winning side this year.

According to a report by The Times of India, Pant requested to stay captain of the Capitals and be part of the coaching staff selection process. However, the Capitals side was not impressed by his T20 performance or captaincy and has opted not to retain the T20 World Cup-winning player, citing other future goals and plans.

KL Rahul (Lucknow Super Giants)

KL Rahul is another high-profile skipper released from the current IPL super auction for 2025. The 32-year-old was one of the Lucknow Super Giants' initial draft selections when the franchise debuted in 2022. However, he was not retained. LSG made the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 under Rahul's leadership, and he has been the team's leading scorer in three seasons.

But following a disastrous IPL 2024 match against SunRisers Hyderabad, in which LSG lost by ten wickets, TV cameras filmed LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka conversing with KL Rahul, which seemed intense and a bit towards a harsh venting out. This led to several criticism notes to the owner, and many assumed that this would prompt Rahul to leave the franchise. Though this reason might not be apparent, he will be next seen for the Delhi Capitals as the potential heir for the squad's leader.