The BCCI has taken a pioneering step by announcing the dates for the next three editions of Indian Premier League (IPL) following an official communication between IPL governing council and all the franchises. 

With this announcement, BCCI has awarded the franchises a significant timeframe for better preparations and plannings as the dates of 2025, 2026, and 2017 have been finalized. 

The Mega Auction for IPL 2025 is scheduled on 24th and 25 November of 2024; and BCCI's move to announce the schedule windows for next three seasons will let the franchises make a better blueprint for the 2026 and 2027 editions and the franchises will pick players accordingly. 

Schedule for next three IPL seasons 

IPL 2025 will start on 14 March 2025 and the final will be played on 25 May 2025. 

IPL 2026 will commence on 15 March 2026 and conclude on 31 May 2025. 

IPL 2027 is scheduled from 14 March 2027 to 30 May 2027. 

The impact of IPL on international cricket 

ESPNcricinfo confirmed that the full-time member countries of ICC have permitted their players to play in the IPL 2025. In a recent developments, it has also been confirmed that that the respective cricket boards of the mentioned countries have given the primitive permission to the players to allow them playing in the next three IPL editions. 

BCCI has made a bold move by announcing the schedules this much early to draw more international players and young cricketers from different countries to expand the ever-growing popularity of IPL.

Usually, the schedules of IPL used to be announced 2-3 months before the tournament and many players had to choose between international duties and franchise cricket. Now it seems that the international cricket calendar will be adjusted accordingly as every prominent cricket playing nation will schedule their matches while considering their players' interest to take part in the biggest T-20 tournament around the globe. 

The countdown is on for the most eagerly awaited day in the Indian Premier League calendar, the IPL 2026 retention deadline on November 15, 2025, at 5 PM IST. All ten franchises must submit their final lists of retained and released players to the BCCI by this time.

This year, franchises can retain any number of players without restrictions on caps, allowing teams to strategise freely before the upcoming mini-auction scheduled for mid-December. The mini-auction, expected around the third week of December, will be crucial in shaping squads for the 19th IPL season.

Major franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Mumbai Indians have already been active in the trading window, with various high-profile movements creating buzz.

The retention announcements are expected to bring major surprises, with some notable players likely to be released and others firmly held onto.

The auction for the next season of the Indian Premier League, IPL 2026, is expected to take place in December. It is reported that the auction could take place between December 13th and 15th. The BCCI has not yet finalized the auction date.

Compared to IPL 2025, this time a "mini auction" will be held, with fewer players up for grabs than last time. The same Cricbuzz report also stated that the deadline for retaining players could be November 15th.

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According to Cricbuzz, it has not yet been decided whether the auction will take place abroad or in India. Sources believe the BCCI may hold a "mini auction" in India, but the situation remains unclear.

Deadline for retention list

According to reports, all teams will have to release their retention lists by November 15th. By this date, teams must submit a list of players they wish to release. It is unlikely that there will be significant player changes.

Who can be released?

There is speculation that Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and star batsman Devon Conway could also be released before the 'mini auction.' In recent months, speculation about Sanju Samson being traded has also gained momentum.

It has also been reported that Rajasthan Royals may release their two main spin bowlers, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. However, Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara will be the head coach of RR next season, so Hasaranga and Theekshana may not be released.

These players can get a new team

Some other players including Mitchell Starc, Akashdeep, T Natarajan, Mayank Yadav and David Miller may join the new team, but nothing is clear on this. Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought by KKR for ₹23.75 crore last season, could also be on the line. There is speculation that Cameron Green could become one of the most expensive players in the auction.

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Players who can be retained

Mumbai is anyway, likely to retain Hardik Pandya, Surya Kumar Yadav, Bumrah and others. Chennai will retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni and Jadeja. Bengaluru is likely to keep hold of captain Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, amongst others. 

The final list of retentions will be out in roughly a month from now, and this will potentially set the stage for the upcoming auction in December.

Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has produced some brilliant batting performances, each more devastating than the other. Some batters gradually become the face of the franchise. IPL teams also heavily depend on them to deliver consistent performances and do the bulk of run-scoring.

In this article, we will take a look at those batters with nost runs in an edition of IPL.

Also Read: Most valuable player in each season of IPL

Most runs in an edition of IPL

5. Sai Sudharsan (2025) | 759 Runs

Gujarat Titans' Sai Sudhaesan surpassed 750 runs in IPL 2025 to sign off with a tally of 759 from 15 matches at 54.21. He registered his 6th fifty of the season (100s: 1). He hit 88 fours and 21 sixes, striking at 156.17.

He also won the IPL 2025 Orange Cap award. This also makes Sai Sudharsan, 23 years and 237 days old when IPL 2025 ended, the youngest IPL Orange Cap history, surpassing the previous record held by GT captain Shubman Gill, who was 23 years and 263 days old when he won the award in IPL 2023.

4. David Warner (2016) | 848 Runs

David Warner’s explosive starts at the top are something SRH fans will never forget. Warner’s meteoric rise in the IPL began with his exploits in the 2016 season, when he guided the team to the final and helped them win their first IPL trophy. Warner scored nine half-centuries in the event, averaging more than 60. He had his greatest season with the bat, scoring 848 runs in 17 matches.

Despite scoring a staggering 848 runs, Warner finished as the second-highest run-scorer in 2016 as Kohli's 973 runs trumped him.

3. Jos Buttler (2022) | 863 Runs

Jos Buttler has been a consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals ever since he signed for the team before the Indian Premier League 2018 season.

In 2022, the Englishman went on a scoring spree, notching up four hundreds and as many fifties for his tally of 863 runs that won him the Orange Cap, awarded to the leading run-scorer in IPL each season. He averaged 57.53 from 17 matches that season scoring runs at a healthy strike rate of 149.05, taking the Royals to their first final after the inaugural edition in 2008.

2. Shubman Gill (2023) | 890 Runs

Gujarat Titans talisman took his batsmanship to astronomical heights in the 2023 edition of the IPL. Shubman Gill delivered consistent batting performances throughout the season to amass a staggering 890 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80. 

Apart from winning the coveted Orange Cap, Gill recorded the second-highest runs in a single IPL season, only behind Virat Kohli. Gill also smashed three centuries in IPL 2023, including a blazing 129 against the Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 to register the highest individual score in an IPL Playoff game. 

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1. Virat Kohli (2016) | 973 Runs

The 2016 IPL season saw Virat Kohli elevate his batting to a level never seen before. He amassed 973 runs in 16 matches, coming agonisingly close to becoming the first player to score 1,000 runs in a single IPL season. With an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03.

Interestingly, no other batter has scored 900 or more runs in an IPL season. Kohli led RCB to the final that year as they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

N Srinivasan, the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has made a comeback in sports administration as the chairman of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

80-year-old Srinivasan was appointed the president of the franchise in the CSK board meeting a few weeks ago. Although he will play an advisory role, his presence will strengthen the strategic direction of the team.

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Srinivasan will serve as an advisory role

At this age, N Srinivasan will not be able to travel much. That is why his role will mainly be that of an advisor. The team's CEO Kasi Viswanthan clarified that CSK will remain in constant touch with him and will seek his guidance in important decisions. His strategic thinking and administrative skills will help set a new direction for the team.

"See, it's a great boon for CSK and he's been the best administrator for us and I'm very happy that he's come back into CSK. He'll be in an advisory role only because he doesn't travel much, but we'll be in contact with him.

"Both of us are in Chennai only. So he's in day-to-day contact with us," said Viswanathan.

Will also oversee global leagues

Chennai Super Kings is not limited to IPL only. It also has stakes in South Africa's SA20 League and America's Major Cricket League (MLC). N Srinivasan will oversee CSK's properties in both these leagues.

The CEO said Srinivasan will be in charge of all global properties and his guidance will further strengthen the international identity of the franchise. "He will be in charge everything (all CSK properties)" said the CEO.

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CSK is already one of the most successful and popular franchises in the IPL. MS Dhoni's captaincy and stable administration have made it a brand.

Now Srinivasan's return will not only give the team strategic strength but will also strengthen the image of the franchise at the global level. His deep understanding and long experience in cricket administration is expected to make CSK's future even brighter.

Rahul Dravid has decided to part ways with Rajasthan Royals as a head coach ahead of the 2026 IPL season, after turning down a "broader position" within the franchise. Rajasthan Royals announce this on Saturday.

The Indian team won the T20 World Cup last year under the coaching of Rahul Dravid. After this, his contract ended. After leaving the post of head coach of the Indian team, Dravid joined Rajasthan Royals as a head coach ahead of IPL 2025. However, the performance of the RR team was quite disappointing. Now, after just one season, Dravid has decided to part ways with the team.

Also Read: Value of the IPL Franchises since 2008 to the present

'Rahul has been central to the Royals' journey'

Official Statement pic.twitter.com/qyHYVLVewz

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 30, 202

Rajasthan Royals posted on social media X and informed about Dravid's resignation. The franchise wrote, "Rahul has been central to the Royals' journey for many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, instilled strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise,"

"As part of the franchise structural review, Rahul had been offered a broader position at the franchise but has chosen not to take this. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, millions of fans worldwide extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service to the franchise," the statement added.

The franchise said that Rahul Dravid was offered some other position instead of the head coach. He refused this and resigned.

RR won only 4 matches in 2025

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was part of Rajasthan Royals as a player from 2011 to 2015. He then returned to the franchise last year. The Royals' 2025 campaign was disappointing. The team won only 4 matches in 14 matches. Rajasthan Royals finished 9th in the table with 8 points. The franchise has not won any title since the first season of IPL.

Also Read: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours

Samson to leave the franchise?

Interestingly, the Royals announcement comes amidst rumours that skipper Sanju Samson also wants to leave the franchise. If Samson also leaves the side, it will leave the Royals in a tricky position a few months before the mini auction.