South African maestro Faf du Plessis joined Perth Scorchers as a last-minute replacement for English batter Laurie Evans. Laurie was found positive after his anti-doping test earlier this season. Faf, who was quite successful as the RCB leader in the Indian Premier League last season, will be looking to revive his Big Bash career with the Perth franchise in the 2022-23 season.

Although Faf was marked as one of the 12 marquee players this season, he was ignored in August's inaugural overseas player draft. Along with the former South African captain, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell and New Zealand batter Martin Guptill will also be joining the Australian T20 carnival.

Read Also: RCB's record in Green Jersey games

Faf du Plessis scored 1299 T20 runs in 2022 at an average of 31.51 playing franchise cricket around the world. He had a great IPL with the Royal Challengers Bangalore by scoring 468 runs at 31.20. In fact, he bettered himself in the Caribbean Premier League with 332 at 41.50 for St. Lucia.

The 38-year-old batter will be joining the Joburg Super Kings in South Africa's new domestic T20 league after finishing his stint with the Perth team. He will be available for all of the first seven matches for the Scorchers.

After the departure of the African batter, the current BBL champions will be able to sign another replacement for him, if they want.

"The first thing that jumps to mind is that Perth are four-time champions, which is very impressive. Any player who plays around the world wants to win competitions, so it's a great franchise to be part of," du Plessis told in an interview with Cricket.com.au.

"Watching the (T20) World Cup, the bounce looked very, very steep. The wickets in South Africa and Australia are quite similar with more pace and bounce than spin, so it is something I've grown up with and I'm looking forward to playing in Perth this summer," he added.

"His record in T20 cricket speaks for itself. He can play in all conditions, bat anywhere in the top six, and has proven himself at the highest level for more than a decade."

Kade Harvey, WA Cricket General Manager High Performance

Perth Scorchers squad for the BLL 2022-23 season

Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cooper Connolly, Faf du Plessis (South Africa), Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Peter Hatzoglou, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Tymal Mills (England), Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Phil Salt (England), Ashton Turner (c), Andrew Tye

The true defining moments of IPL happens in the playoffs stage. A batsman's ability to deal pressure and get going is tested in these high-stakes environment.

As we are about to enter the playoffs of IPL 2025, let's take a look at the 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history. Some impressive unmatched numbers are ready to unfold. Check them out.

5. Shane Watson | 389 Runs

The Australian legend, Shane Watson's impact on IPL playoffs and crucial matches holds the 5th position for the 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history.

Watson made his debut in IPL 2008 and played until 2020, scoring a total of 389 runs in 12 playoff matches. He was in the winning squad of Rajasthan Royals in 2008, and won the title with CSK in 2018. He also represented RCB during his IPL career.

Watson scored a century and 3 fifties in his IPL playoffs journey, with a strike rate above 150.

Read Also: 5 bowlers with the most wickets in IPL playoffs history

Shane Watson stats in IPL playoffs

4. Faf du Plessis | 390 runs

The South African cricketer, Faf du Plessis, has a strong playoffs record with the bat, having scored 390 runs in 15 playoff matches in IPL. His ability to adapt and play power-packed cricket has been crucial for the teams.

He won 2 titles with Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2021, and played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in other playoff matches.

Faf du Plessis stats in IPL playoffs

3. Shubham Gill | 474 Runs

The youngest name on this elite list, Shubman Gill, has rapidly grown to be a key player in IPL playoffs. He scored a total of 474 runs in just 10 playoff matches, playing for KKR and GT.

Gill's standout performance came with a record breaking 129 runs in the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 for Gujarat Titans. He also lifted the trophy with the franchise in 2022.

The numbers are about to increase, as GT has made it to the playoffs of IPL 2025, and we are yet to see some Gill magic in the upcoming playoffs scene.

Read Also: Can Shubman Gill or Sai Sudharsan break Kohli's record of most IPL runs in a single season?

Shubham Gill status in IPL playoffs

2. MS Dhoni | 523 Runs

A list like this is incomplete without the playoffs King himself, so here he is! MS Dhoni holds the second position with 523 runs in 28 playoff matches, which is the highest no. of matches among others in here.

Dhoni is a key player for the team who led CSK to win the IPL title 5 times, and also led RPSG into the finals in IPL 2017. His ability to finish matches will be forever treasured in all kinds of playing format.

MS Dhoni stats in IPL playoffs

1. Suresh Raina | 714 Runs

The former Indian cricketer, Suresh Raina, holds the 1st rank in the list for 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history. He scored 714 runs in 24 playoffs matches, played for CSK and GL.

It's been 6 years since Raina played his last playoff match (in 2019), and his numbers are still far from being broken in the current IPL years.

He also won the title 4 times with CSK, playing a crucial role in their playoff games with a strike rate above 155.

Read Also: Which team has qualified for IPL playoffs most times?

Suresh Raina stats in IPL playoffs

As IPL 2025 faced disruptions and was suspended on 9th May, 2025, most of the overseas players returned back to their respective home countries.

The tournament is set to resume from 17th May, 2025, and it raises a crucial question about how many overseas players can rejoin their franchises.

Given their international commitments and other issues, check out the overseas players who might not come for the remainder of the tournament in IPL 2025 for each team.

IPL 2025 Points Table

Firstly, see where each team stands before the tournament resumes.

Read Also: Top 5 underrated players in IPL 2025

Overseas players return status for the remainder of IPL 2025

The Indian Premier League is just around the corner with the tournament set to start on 22 March.

As usual, it is highly anticipated and is set to draw a huge viewing audience.

Also Read: IPL Facts: Which player has lost the most games in IPL history?

As we move towards the first fixture, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, let’s take a moment to go back in time and see which batsmen have scored the most runs in IPL since 2018.

Most Runs in IPL (2018-2024)

8. Suryakumar Yadav | 2986 Runs

Suryakumar Yadav had his IPL debut in 2011 for MI. But he got his breakthrough in KKR under Gautam Gambhir but didn't perform up to that level. 2018 saw him return to the Mumbai Indians, where he made massive strides in his IPL career.

Surya has scored 2986 runs during this period in 84 games at an average of 35.55 and a strike rate of 148.71. He has two centuries and 23 half-centuries to his name. He struck 440 boundaries, including 331 fours and 109 sixes.

In 2023, he had his greatest IPL season, where he was appointed as the vice-captain of MI along with scoring 605 runs with a strike rate of 181.14 in 16 innings.

7. Sanju Samson | 2993 Runs

Rajasthan Royals' skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has always been a player to rely on in the IPL. He has scored 2993 runs during the 2018-2024 season with two centuries and 18 half-centuries.

IPL 2024 was one of the best seasons for Samson with the bat as he amassed 531 runs at an impressive average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46. He also led the team to the playoffs for the second time after taking over the reins in IPL 2021.

6. Jos Buttler | 3055 Runs

Jos Buttler comes sixth in the list scoring 3055 runs in 73 matches at an average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 147.80. He has seven centuries and 18 half-centuries to his name.

Buttler had an unforgettable 2022 season, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 863 runs at an average of 57.53 and a blistering strike rate of 149.05.

The England star smashed four centuries and four half-centuries, playing a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals’ journey to the final. His ability to accelerate and play match-winning innings made him one of the standout performers of the season.

5. Shikhar Dhawan | 3208 Runs

Shikhar Dhawan is fifth on the list of most runs in IPL since 2018. He has been a consistent run-getter over this period, crossing the 400-run mark each season from 2018 to 2024. 

Dhawan has 3208 runs in 83 games at an average of 38.65 and a strike rate of 133.56, including 2 hundred and 23 half-centuries, with the help of 367 fours and 82 sixes. 

His best season came in 2020 when he made 618 runs with 2 hundred and 4 fifties. 

4. Shubman Gill | 3216 Runs

Shubman Gill made his IPL debut in 2018 season and scored 3216 runs so far in 85 matches at an average of 37.84 and a strike rate of 135.70. 

Gill was the leading run-scorer of IPL 2023, amassing 890 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 59.33. His strike rate of 157.80 included 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries, with a highest score of 129. He also smashed 85 fours and 33 sixes throughout the tournament.

Gill’s heroics helped Gujarat Titans reach the 2023 final, making him a player to watch for many seasons to come.

3. Faf du Plessis | 3276 Runs

Faf Du Plessis, who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the playoffs last season, has the most runs in IPL during 2018-2024 period. He has scored 3276 runs in 84 matches at an average of 39.01 and a strike rate of 140.04.

He was also sensational with the bat as he scored 438 runs in 2022 season. It came after a brilliant run with the bat in 2023 when he scored over 700 runs for RCB.

Prior to his stint with Bangalore, Du Plessis enjoyed a highly successful tenure with the Chennai Super Kings, winning IPL titles in 2018 and 2021. 

The Proteas batter boasts an impressive record in the overall tournament, scoring 4,571 runs in 145 matches, including 37 half-centuries.

Also Read: Most Wickets in IPL history

2. Virat Kohli | 3586 Runs

Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s struggles in recent seasons, Virat Kohli continued to shine with the bat in every season. He amassed 3586 runs since 2018 season at an average of 40.29 and a strike rate of 134.7, reminding everyone why he is one of the greatest batsmen in T20 cricket.

Kohli has four centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name. His IPL career has seen him hit 339 fours and 163 sixes during this period.

Kohli also scored the most runs in IPL in history with 8004 runs in 252 matches, including 8 centuries and 55 fifties.

1. KL Rahul | 3958 Runs

KL Rahul has hammered 3,958 runs in 79 matches since the start of IPL 2018. He has scored the most runs in IPL this period. 

The tally includes four tons and 33 fifties. Rahul is the only batter to slam 3,000-plus IPL runs in this period. Shikhar Dhawan (3,208), the only other batter to score 2,500-plus since IPL 2018, follows Rahul on this tally.

Rajat Patidar has been named as the new and 8th captain in the history of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Indian Premier League (IPL). The 31-year-old Madhya Pradesh batter would be succeeding Faf du Plessis, who led them from 2022 to 2024. Though Virat Kohli was rumored to be the captain of the team again, the team management announced Patidar as the leader of the franchise. 

With Patidar joining an elite list of players to captain RCB in IPL, here is a list with stats of every RCB captain so far in IPL history. 

Stats of every RCB captain in IPL so far

Virat Kohli | 66 wins

Virat Kohli is the most successful captain in the history of RCB. He is also the only player to play for a single franchise since the inception of the tournament. In 2008, RCB bought a future star in making who went on to break many records in the tournament. 

Kohli was made the RCB captain back in 2011 and he led them continuously till 2022 season before Faf du Plessis took over the captaincy from him. However, Kohli had led the team for a few games in 2023 as well. 

The former India captain led RCB in 143 games and won 66 games as a captain. During his tenure, RCB saw the highest and lowest of the franchise with them qualifying for the final once in 2016. They faced humiliation of being bowled out for 49 under his captaincy too. 

Read Also | IPL Stats: Players with hat-tricks in IPL

Faf du Plessis | 21 wins

Faf du Plessis, the former South African captain was trusted with the RCB captaincy after Virat Kohli stepped down as the captain of the team in 2022. The team and Kohli wanted a fresh brain and leadership to take the team to new heights, 

However, despite Faf's experience of the leading many T20 teams across the globe, RCB failed to win any accolade during his tenure of three seasons. In 42 games as the RCB captain , Faf won 21 games, which makes him the second most successful RCB captain. 

Faf du Plessis has the highest win percentage as a RCB captain with more than 40 games.

Anil Kumble | 15 wins

Kumble, the former Indian captain took over the captaincy in 2009 and led the team two seasons only. However, he was very successful as a captain even in that small amount of time as he was able to take the team to IPL 2009 final. Although they suffered a defeat at the hands of Decan Chargers in the second season of IPL. 

Kumble is regarded as one of the most successful RCB captains with 15 wins in just 26 games as the captain. He has a win percentage of 57.69 as the captain of the franchise.

Daniel Vettori | 12 wins

One of the most underrated players and captains of cricket history, Daniel Vettori led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team in two seasons from 2011 to 2012. 

In 22 games as the captain, Vettori won 12 games and also led them in 2011 IPL final where they lost against Chennai Super Kings, 

Rahul Dravid | 4 wins

Rahul Dravid was the first ever RCB captain, who was the marquee player of the franchise when the tournament started in 2008, The former India captain led RCB for only one season in 2008 and only managed to win 4 times in 14 games.

Dravid's failure as the leader of the team forced the team management to hand over the captaincy to Kevin Pietersen in the next season. 

Kevin Pietersen | 2 wins

In 2009, former England batter Kevin Pietersen led RCB for only 6 games after the failure of Rahul Dravid's tenure as the leader of the team. However, Pietersen also could not find any success as the RCB captain and was replaced by Anil Kumble in the midseason after winning only 2 out of 6 games. 

Shane Watson | 1 win

Shane Watson, one of the most successful players for RCB, led the team in three matches only in 2017 season in absence of Virat Kohli. Watson could only manage one win in those three games as the captain. 

Stats of every RCB captain in IPL