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.

The IPL 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) set a new example of dangerous batting in T20 cricket during the entire IPL 2024. Although we experienced some dominating batting performances previously, we never experienced it consistently for a team in an entire tournament. While SRH are always respectable, they became many fan favourites for their unstoppable entertainment with the bats in the 2014 season.

After failing to qualify for the playoffs for three straight seasons, the IPL 2024 runners-up SRH will surely be desperate for the next season, as the cricket fans will love to see their same dominance with the bats on the field. While they spent INR 75 crore to retain five important capped players, they had INR 45 crore in the purse for the mega auction.

SEE ALSO: Siddarth Kaul announces retirement from Indian cricket

SunRisers Hyderabad: Key additions from the mega auction

As SRH retained some powerful overseas names, they gave importance to the Indian cricketers in the two-day mega auction. They secured Ishan Kishan for INR 11.25 crore, while they spent INR 10 crore and 8 crore for Mohammad Shami and Harshal Patel, respectively. 

Talking about some other important names in the squad, SRH secured Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Jaydev Unadkat, Kamindu Mendis, etc. 

SRH Full Squad

Batters: Travis Head (retained/Australian), Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Aniket Verma, Sachin Baby 

Wicketkeepers: Heinrich Klaasen (retained/South African), Ishan Kishan

All-rounders: Abhishek Sharma (retained), Nitish Kumar Reddy (retained), Harshal Patel, Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lankan), Brydon Carse (English)

Spinners: Adam Zampa (Australian), Rahul Chahar, Zeeshan Ansari

Pacers: Pat Cummins (retained/Australian), Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Shami, Simarjeet Singh, Eshan Malinga (Sri Lankan)

Brief SWOT analysis

SRH retained the five most important players before the main auction. Once again, they have great names in top and middle-order batting. Also, they have strong names in the bowling line-up, both in the pace and spin. They have some strong names in the all-rounder.

Talking about their problems, one of the issues is having limited options in the Indian batting line-ups. But as the team management has improved a lot in the last season, we can expect continuous better results in the next season. 

SRH Best Possible XI for IPL 2025

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, Atharva Taide, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar

IPL 2016 champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) stunned last IPL season by setting a powerful batting example, which they produced majorly in that entire tournament. They were very close to winning the IPL 2024 title but finished as the runners-up after suffering a thrashing IPL 2024 final defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders. 

SRH started the IPL 2025 mega auction with the purse remaining for INR 45 crore. Before the auction, SRH retained five capped players, which deducted INR 75 crore from the purse. 

In the mega auction, Indian cricketers Ishan Kishan and Mohammad Shami earned bids of INR 10 crore or over. Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Chahar, Jaydev Unadkat, etc are the other valuable buys for the IPL 2016 champions. While SRH secured three big foreign names in the retention, they majorly targeted on the Indian players in the mega auction. 

Pre Auction Retentions

(Capped)

Heinrich Klaasen (South African): INR 23 Crore

Pat Cummins (Australian): INR 18 Crore

Abhishek Sharma (Indian): INR 14 Crore

Travis Head (Australian): INR 14 Crore

Nitish Kumar Reddy (Indian): INR 6 Crore

(Uncapped)

None

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

1 uncapped player

Mega Auction Buys

Ishan Kishan (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 11.25 crore

Mohammed Shami (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 10 crore

Harshal Patel (Indian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 8 crore

Rahul Chahar (Indian): Base price INR 1 crore – Bid won INR 3.20 crore 

Abhinav Manohar (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 3.20 crore

Adam Zampa (Australian): Base price INR 2 crore – Bid won INR 2.40 crore

Simrajeet Singh (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 1.50 crore

Eshan Malinga (Sri Lankan): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 1.20 crore

Brydon Carse (English): Base price INR 1 crore – Bid won INR 1 crore

Jaydev Unadkat (Indian): Base price INR 1 crore – Bid won INR 1 crore

Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lankan): Base price INR 75 lakh – Bid won INR 75 lakh

Zeeshan Ansari (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 40 lakh

Aniket Verma (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Atharva Taide (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Sachin Baby (Indian): Base price INR 30 lakh – Bid won INR 30 lakh

Full Squad

Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Kamindu Mendis, Aniket Verma, Eshan Malinga, Sachin Baby.

Best Playing XI

Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Reddy, Atharva Taide, Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar

Heinrich Klaasen has emerged as one of the most explosive batters in T20 cricket, known for his ruthless power-hitting and the ability to dismantle any bowling attack in the shortest format. A consistent performer with a devastating strike rate of 168.3, Klaasen has amassed 993 runs across 32 IPL matches, boasting an average of 38.2. His uncanny knack for hitting boundaries, coupled with an impressive 104 fours and 56 sixes, makes him a bowler's nightmare, especially in the pressure-laden death overs. These late overs see Klaasen at his best, where his strike rate skyrockets to an astonishing 192.8, piling up 403 runs off just 209 deliveries and further establishing his reputation as a game-changing finisher.

Klaasen’s IPL journey began with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, then he moved to the Rajasthan Royals, before finally finding his groove with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). At SRH, he has not only flourished but also delivered his most impactful performances, staking his claim as one of the top T20 finishers in the league. His lethal ability to finish games has filled a critical gap for SRH, where his aggressive yet calculated approach at the crease has made him invaluable. With his current form and match-winning prowess, Klaasen stands as a premier T20 finisher, redefining late-innings power play in the IPL.

See Also: Tony de Zorzi Powers South Africa's Steady March Toward the WTC Finals

Is Retaining Heinrich Klaasen for ₹23 Crore Justified?

Heinrich Klaasen has emerged as one of the most explosive batters in T20 cricket, renowned for his ruthless power-hitting and ability to dismantle any bowling attack in the shortest format. With a devastating strike rate of 168.3, he has accumulated 993 runs across 32 IPL matches, averaging an impressive 38.2. Klaasen's uncanny knack for finding boundaries is evident in his impressive tally of 104 fours and 56 sixes, making him a bowler's nightmare, especially in pressure-laden death overs. These late innings have become his playground, where his strike rate skyrockets to a staggering 192.8, underscoring his reputation as a game-changing finisher.

Klaasen’s IPL journey began with the Royal Challengers Bangalore before he moved to the Rajasthan Royals and ultimately found his stride with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). At SRH, he has not only flourished but also delivered his most impactful performances, staking his claim as one of the top T20 finishers in the league. His lethal ability to finish games has filled a critical gap for SRH, where his aggressive yet calculated approach at the crease has made him invaluable. Klaasen's current form and match-winning prowess position him as a premier T20 finisher, redefining late-innings power play in the IPL.

The pressure situations of death overs are where Klaasen truly shines. Facing 209 balls in these high-stakes moments, he has scored 403 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 192.8. His ability to consistently find the boundary is highlighted by his tally of 54 boundaries and 25 sixes, demonstrating his power and precision when it matters most. With a death-over average of 28.8, Klaasen has established himself as a batter who can be relied upon to deliver in crunch situations. Compared to his peers, his exceptional boundary conversion rate sets him apart, marking him as a crucial player in tight matches.

A deeper analysis of Klaasen’s performance reveals a strong correlation between his Boundary Run Percentage (BR%) and Strike Rate (SR), where he boasts a BR% of 69.55 and a phenomenal strike rate of 201.12. This correlation indicates that his ability to clear the ropes consistently contributes significantly to his overall scoring. While other high-strike-rate batters, such as Dinesh Karthik and Shivam Dube, also show positive correlations between BR% and SR, Klaasen’s unmatched numbers highlight his unique capacity to maximize boundary efficiency and maintain momentum, especially towards the end of the innings.

In conclusion, Klaasen’s rise as a premier T20 finisher is a direct result of his boundary-hitting efficiency and high strike rate, particularly in death-over situations. His impressive statistics reflect his significant impact on the game, particularly in tight match scenarios. Given his exceptional performance and crucial role in these situations, the question arises: is Heinrich Klaasen worth ₹23 crore? The answer is a resounding yes. His ability to perform under pressure, combined with his match-winning capabilities, justifies such an investment. In modern T20 cricket, effective finishers like Klaasen are invaluable assets, making him a worthy candidate for retention at this price.

See Also: India Women Clinch Series Victory Against New Zealand in Style

One-time IPL champions SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) have named their retained players before the mega auction. 

Starting the IPL journey in the 2013 edition, SRH have impressed with their performances. They won the IPL 2016 after beating Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final. They also finished as the runners-up two times, including the last season. 

While Chennai Super Kings beat the SRH in the IPL 2018 final, Kolkata Knight Riders defeated them in the IPL 2024 final. After finishing the previous three seasons in the league stage, captain Pat Cummins’ record-value joining opened their luck in the last season. Although they finished as the runners-up, cricket fans heavily enjoyed their aggressive batting attitude. 

SunRisers Hyderabad player retention

SRH utilised INR 75 crore to secure five capped retentions. The franchise will use the remaining INR 45 crore in the upcoming mega auction.

(Capped)

Heinrich Klaasen (South African): INR 23 Crore

Pat Cummins (Australian): INR 18 Crore

Abhishek Sharma (Indian): INR 14 Crore

Travis Head (Australian): INR 14 Crore

Nitish Kumar Reddy (Indian): INR 6 Crore

(Uncapped)

None

Right-to-Match (RTM) card availability for the mega auction

1 uncapped player

The IPL retention deadline is less than 24 hours away, and the SunRisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) possible retention has been revealed, including two new additions.

October 31 is the deadline for the IPL retention. Earlier, ESPNcricinfo reported that Heinrich Klaasen will be the top retained player for SRH, along with Pat Cummins and Abhishek Sharma. That report also suggested that Klaasen will be valued at INR 23 crore, while the captain Cummins’ value will be INR 18 crore. Abhishek Sharma will earn INR 14 crore. 

SEE ALSO: CSK’s retention hints spark IPL 2025 buzz

Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the other retentions for SRH

Now, ESPNcricinfo has brought another information about SRH retention. Without any surprise, Australian cricketer Travis Head and Indian cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy will complete the capped player retention for SRH. The report further added that Head will earn INR 14 crore, while Reddy will be signed for INR 6 crore.

While there is no news about any uncapped player retention by SRH, the IPL 2016 winners can use the only Right-to-Match (RTM) card for an uncapped player during the mega auction.

SRH players shined in the IPL 2024

SRH stormed in the IPL 2024, where they set a new example of T20 cricket aggressiveness. It was the third time when SRH played an IPL final, where they suffered a defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to finish the season as the runners-up.

Head was the leading run-scorer for SRH and the fourth-leading run-scorer in the IPL 2024. He scored 567 runs in 15 innings with an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 191.55, including one century and four half-centuries.

Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen were the next two most run-scorers for SRH in the IPL 2024. Sharma scored 484 runs with a strike rate of 204.21, and Klaasen scored 479 runs with a strike rate of 171.07. Sharma also took two wickets.

Captain Pat Cummins was the joint ninth leading wicket-taker for SRH in the IPL 2024 by finishing with 18 wickets in 16 matches. However, the Indian left-arm pacer T Natarajan was their leading wicket-taker in the IPL 2024 season with 19 wickets. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 303 runs in 11 innings with an average of 33.66 and a strike rate of 142.92. He also took three wickets in that season. 

This means that SRH can’t retain their most successful bowler Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. The only 100 wickets taker for SRH has taken 157 wickets in 145 matches. In the last season, Kumar took 11 wickets in 16 matches. However, he was one of the most economical bowlers, especially in the powerplay. 

While the official deadline for the IPL retention is October 31, the possible retention of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) has been revealed.

According to ESPNcricinfo, South African power hitter Heinrich Klaasen will be the top retention for the SRH. The next two possible names are Australian star Pat Cummins and Indian all-rounder Abhishek Sharma. 

Each team can retain a maximum of six players, including a maximum of five capped players (Indian or foreigner) and a maximum of two uncapped players.

SEE ALSO: Paras Mhambrey returns to Mumbai Indians as bowling coach

The reported earnings

According to the retention rules, if SRH retain Klassen as the first player, the South African will earn INR 23 crore. While Pat Cummins joined last season with an auction price of INR 20.50 crore, he will now get INR 18 crore if he is retained as the second player. 

While Abhishek Sharma can be the third retained player, his value will be INR 14 crore. 

The ESPNcricinfo report further added that Australian star Travis Head and Indian cricketer  Nitish Kumar Reddy could also be retained. 

Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, SunRisers Hyderabad became one of the most exciting and dangerous teams at the IPL 2024. The IPL 2016 champions finished as the runners-up in the last IPL season as they lost the IPL 2024 final against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). 

How did the star SRH players perform in the IPL 2024?

In the IPL 2024, Head was the leading run-scorer for SRH and the fourth leading run-scorer overall. The left-handed batter scored 567 runs in 15 innings with a strike rate of 191.55, as he recorded one century and four half-centuries.

Klaasen scored 479 runs in 15 innings during the IPL 2024 with a strike rate of 171.07. He hit four half-centuries. 

Apart from scoring 484 runs in 16 innings (strike rate 204.21) with three half-centuries, Abhishek Sharma picked up two wickets during the IPL 2024. On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 303 runs in the last IPL season (strike rate 142.92), including two half-centuries, and also claimed three wickets.   

SRH skipper Pat Cummins was the second leading wicket-taker for his team in the IPL 2024, with 18 wickets in 16 matches. 

The Indian Premier League, a veritable breeding ground for cricketing talent, has once again brought a group of promising players to the fore. The just-concluded 2024 edition was a platform for these emerging Indian players, who could potentially bring about a sea change in the national cricket team.

Here’s a rundown of the top five Indian players who, based on their IPL performances, could be on their way to their first international call.

1. Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Sunrisers Hyderabad has uncovered yet another cricketing treasure in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy, a pace-bowling all-rounder. This sought-after combination frequently piques the curiosity of Indian cricket selection. At the age of 21, Reddy has distinguished himself by his ability to flourish in high-pressure circumstances and guide the innings to a successful completion.

The youngster also won this year’s Emerging Player of the Year title, scoring 303 runs in 15 matches at an average of 33.67. He took three wickets with the ball and had the best bowling stats of 2/17. Nitish played a significant part in enabling the team’s third IPL finale match. 

2. Abhishek Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Having associations since 2019 with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Abhishek Sharma paid back the trust after a memorable cricketing display as the team’s opener. With his opening partner, Travis Head, Sharma has created havoc with the bat by making a sound and aggressive start towards the team’s high-scoring total, with their highest team total of 287/3 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru being one of them.

He has smashed 484 runs in 16 matches, with a strike rate of over 200. As an all-rounder, he also has the potential to turn the ball and scalp some crucial wickets. It would be interesting to see how he performs as an opener when he gets his maiden international call in the future.

Also Read: IPL 2024: Ranking all IPL teams captains

3. Riyan Parag (Rajasthan Royals)

Riyan Parag has been a part of Rajasthan Royals for an extended period, but his performance has gradually declined season by season. With numerous trolls and backlash, Parag gave a befitting reply to such haters with his all-rounding performance in the recent season. He acted as the medium of robust to the team’s middle-order batting and helped in scalping crucial wins for the team.

He emerged as the team’s best run-scorer in IPL 2024, achieving the third-highest total tally with 573 runs at a strike rate of 149.21 throughout 14 innings. With a sophisticated approach and a relaxed attitude, Parag’s proficient tactics have created a lasting impression, which implies that a call-up to the Indian squad may be approaching.

4. Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants)

Though Mayank Yadav’s IPL career was cut short owing to repeated ailments, the speed phenom made the most of his opportunities while still in the league. Mayank’s blazing speed and pinpoint precision in his maiden match astounded the crowd.

Despite bowling only 12.1 overs in the competition and taking seven wickets with a fantastic economy rate of 6.98, Mayank’s early exit from the IPL 2024 did not herald the end of his career. With his impressive quickness and intriguing talent, he is undoubtedly on selectors’ radar for future possibilities.

5. Shashank Singh (Punjab Kings)

During the 2024 IPL auction, Shashank Singh’s purchase by the Punjab Kings was an atmosphere of confusion and rumours, as the team wanted another player going by the same name. But this purchase turned out to be a masterstroke and made one of the players who might get his India debut call very soon. He became the face of the team’s middle-order lineup.

The batter hit 415 runs in the 14 games he played in the competition this season, with a strike-rate of 161. The effect of his knocks made him a superstar for the Punjab Kings as he came out to bat amid tight moments and won them the game when the team had practically no chance of success.

The 2024 IPL edition is one of the most intensifying tournaments in the Indian franchise-based fraternity. With many broken records and some commendable performances, the team’s captains have acted as the epitome of such cricketing displays, making the concluded edition more memorable for the cricketing world.

With different captains having different strategies and intent, here is a ranking of all the teams’ heads who have contributed to the fullest with their cricketing minds and calibre in the recently concluded IPL 2024 edition. The ranking is based on a combination of factors, including the team’s performance, the captain’s leadership skills, and their contributions to the team’s success.

1. Shreyas Iyer- Kolkata Knight Riders

The 2024 IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, have been a jack-of-all-trades team, checking all the boxes in all aspects, with particular praise from their skipper, Shreyas Iyer, and the coaching staff. Shreyas Iyer has done well as a captain, and the team is doing well under his leadership.

His decision-making has been sound, with no significant weaknesses identified in his leadership. KKR has perhaps the finest balance of bat and ball. The leading cause for this has been player selection and, therefore, player performance. He played aggressive cricket with the bat, hitting 351 runs at a strike rate of 146.

2. Pat Cummins- Sunrisers Hyderabad

Pat Cummins excelled as a captain. After performing well for Australia, which has a strong lineup, the star player’s challenge was to turn around SRH’s fortunes. And he did just that. Thanks to Cummins’ inspired captaincy, the hitters transformed the dynamics of the league with their aggressive style, and the developing bowlers dominated it to the fullest.

Cummins was also effective with the ball, taking 18 wickets over the season. As a captain, he inspired the SRH team to break records in the IPL 2024. Cummins has pulled the best out of numerous players this season, leading them to the grand finals.

3. Faf du Plessis- Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Though the team had one heck of a forgettable start, Royal Challengers Bengaluru made a fantabulous and memorable comeback, even when there was a bleak 1% chance of qualification. All credit would go to the former South African ace opener, Faf du Plessis, who focused on strengthening its batting core and improvising its bowling department.

Overall, it was a valiant display of captaincy and team effort by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As of his batting performance, du Plessis made 438 runs at a strike rate of 161.

4. Sanju Samson- Rajasthan Royals

In the initial and mid stages of the league, Rajasthan Royals (RR) were the favourites to finish first in the points standings, having won eight of their nine games. However, their season deteriorated following that, and they made the playoffs in third place.

This was primarily about critiquing the team’s consistency and captain Sanju Samson’s evolving plans and methods. If not for this season, Samson is praised for his constant batting and captaincy efforts, which was unsurprising given his performance this season. He had a spectacular batting tenure, amassing 531 runs with a strike rate of 153.

5. Rishabh Pant- Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant returns to play after being out for more than 15 months. After avoiding a life-threatening accident, the top player returned to cricket and performed well as a batsman. But he was a decent skipper. He began his IPL 2024 campaign with some difficulties.

But by the second half of the tournament, he had returned to his excellent levels. The Delhi Capitals skipper scored 446 runs with a strike rate of 155. Pant made poor selections about the team’s batting and bowling. Pant would need to improve over time for the following season.

See Also: Gambhir reveals KKR’s 2024 victory secret

6. Ruturaj Gaikwad- Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad captained Chennai Super Kings for the first time in IPL history. His leadership was not up to par, but it could have a future influence on the team’s destiny in the long term, especially after a long and prosperous era of MS Dhoni. The batting order constantly changed in numerous games, hampered the players’ performance.

Ruturaj Gaikwad led Chennai Super Kings through a consistent season, not to forget his spectacular batting stint by scoring 583 runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament. Gaikwad won only seven games in his 14-match campaign, indicating significant room for development.

7. Sam Curran- Punjab Kings

Though Shikhar Dhawan had to lead the Punjab Kings full-time, Sam Curran’s appearance as a captain for majority of time was interesting to check out. However, he wasn’t appealing with his overall all-rounder performance, as he made just 270 runs at a strike rate of 123 and snapped 16 wickets.

But, his ability to utilise emerging domestic talent has prompted his arsenal to change the game and can act as the future of the team’s successes. In the end, the team was able to win just a mere five wins and ended up ninth in the points table.

8. KL Rahul- Lucknow Super Giants

KL Rahul led the Lucknow Super Giants to a 50-50 record, winning seven of their fourteen matches. Under his guidance, the squad won as many games as it lost, indicating an up-and-down season. They started brightly but lost momentum in the middle.

Meanwhile, Rahul scored 520 runs this season, but his strike rate of 136 was significantly below average and ordinary for openers in the IPL 2024 season, which was a high-scoring event. It sums up his tactics of runs coming off his bat, but not at the rate his side needs.  The Super Giants missed the playoffs for the first time in their three-season history.

9. Shubman Gill- Gujarat Titans

Shubman Gill, a budding opening batter, has become the captain of the Gujarat Titans after Hardik Pandya moved to the Mumbai Indians. In his first stint as captain, Gill faced challenges, including critical player injuries, leading to some perplexed and vague decisions.

Despite this, he viewed it as a learning experience. The team won only five out of 14 matches, but Gill’s batting was solid, with 426 runs in 12 games. But it will be interesting to see how he evolves as a captain for the Gujarat Titans.

10. Hardik Pandya- Mumbai Indians

Hardik Pandya, the new Mumbai Indians captain, was perhaps the most disappointing captain and big-name player of the IPL 2024 season, especially given that he led Gujarat to an IPL trophy and a runners-up finish in the previous two seasons.

Despite huge expectations, the Mumbai Indians ended at the bottom of the points table, winning only four matches out of 14 games. Hardik scored 216 runs at an average of 18 as a player and took 11 wickets. Given his previous success, Pandya’s captaincy has been more forgettable this season.

In the 2024 IPL edition, while the batters stole the show, it’s undeniable that the game was shaped by the impact of the ball. Amidst the high-scoring runs and memorable batting innings, some standout bowling performances significantly influenced the top-notch batting displays.

This article will delve into the top 5 bowling highlights of the 2024 IPL edition, shedding light on the bowlers who made a significant impact. 

1. Shahbaz Ahmed (Sunrisers Hyderabad) vs Rajasthan Royals- 3/23 

With Sunrisers Hyderabad, a team known for its strong batting attacks and high team scores, the absence of their prime-purchased spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, due to an injury was a significant blow. However, they managed to turn the tide in their Qualifier 2 match against the Rajasthan Royals, a crucial game that would determine their path to the final.

They relied on their part-time and all-rounder spinners to exploit the no-dew and turning pitch conditions. One such standout was Shahbaz Ahmed, who played a crucial role in scalping the Royals’ batting order wickets. With an economy of a mere 5.75 and having spin-handy support of Abhishek Sharma, they have triumphed a win over the Royals by 36 runs and made their way to their third IPL final. 

2. Matheesha Pathirana (Chennai Super Kings) vs Mumbai Indians- 4/28

The Impact Player rule has been in action since the 2023 IPL edition, and it has stirred a lot of controversies among cricket fanatics and the experienced sports fraternity. Still, this bowling highlight is a prime example of how this rule changes the game’s dynamics.

When Chennai Super Kings set up a target of 207 against a swashbuckling Mumbai Indians batting order, Super Kings’ Pathirana displayed his pace skills and flummoxed Mumbai Indians batting order by scalping four wickets of just 28 runs, with a commendable economy of seven runs. This performance earned him the title of Man of the Match. 

3. Mitchell Starc (Kolkata Knight Riders) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad- 3/34

When the top Australian pacer, Mitchell Starc, was bought for a colossal INR 24.5 Crore, making him the most expensive player in the tournament’s history, many critics gave their words on the costly and unnecessary purchase.

But during the Qualifier-1 match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Starc proved his calibre of why he’s the best in the business with his crucial performance during the game by scalping major wickets of the robust Sunrisers Hyderabad batting lineup, by taking three wickets of just 34 runs, at an economy of 8.5, with the swing and pace with the new ball being the highlight. 

See Also: IPL 2024: Top 5 best batting highlights of IPL 2024

4. Mayank Yadav (Lucknow Super Giants) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru- 3/14

IPL has been a breeding ground for young and emerging cricketing talent, domestic or foreign players. With this season witnessing several promising domestic talents, one such talent arises from the pace bowling department. Mayank Yadav is one of the elements of Lucknow Super Giants’ young-blooded and emerging bowling attack, where his bowling speed has done the talking.

His first-ever IPL delivery clocked at a fiery pace of 147 mph, with other deliveries clocking at 155.8 mph. The speed gun displayed his pace and wicket-taking abilities in his second IPL match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he had scalped three wickets at an astonishing economy of 3.5, leading the team to a 28-run win and earning his first-ever MOM award. Though his injury sidelined him for the majority of the season, he has a bright future ahead and is getting a chance to get his maiden international call. 

5. T Natarajan (Sunrisers Hyderabad) vs Delhi Capitals- 4/19 

Hailed as the Yorker King, T Natarajan has been a valuable asset for the Sunrisers Hyderabad for a long period and has been vital in scalping pivotal wickets. This match acts as one such instance. Giving a colossal target of 267 runs against a powerful batting order of Delhi Capitals, T Natarajan provided some unplayable deliveries.

He took a triple-wicket maiden over in his final over, summing up his quality pace attack. There is a noteworthy mention of T Natarajan being the team’s highest wicket-taker and the tournament’s fourth-highest wicket-taker (19 wickets).