Former India captain Kapil Dev, who had earlier said that Virat Kohli should be dropped from the T20s if he is not in form, spoke on him again. This time Kapil was speaking on India's T20 squad for the West Indies series. Virat has been 'rested' for the series along with Jasprit Bumrah. The 1983 World Cup-winning captain said that if selectors feel that he is rested and not dropped, then that should be accepted as Kohli is a big player.
"I can't say a big player like Virat Kohli should be dropped. He is a very big player. If you have said that he has been rested to give him respect then there's no harm in that."
the 1983 World Cup-winning captain told ABP News
Kapil added that if Kohli wants to get back to good form, he should get more practice and play more matches. Kapil believes that selectors should not pick a squad considering who is a big player or not.
"He's not an ordinary cricketer": Kapil Dev on Kohli's form
"The most important part is how to bring such a player back in form? He's not an ordinary cricketer. He should get more practice and play more matches to get his form back. I don't think there's any player in this world who is bigger than Kohli in the T20s but when you are not doing well, the selectors can take their call. My thinking is that if anybody is not doing well then he can be rested or dropped," Kapil said.
Kapil advised Kohli to play Ranji Trophy and felt that great players are those who do not take a long time to make a comeback.
"...Maybe play Ranji Trophy or score runs anywhere. His confidence needs to be back. This is the difference between a great and a good player. A great player like him shouldn't take so much time to get back in form. He has to fight with himself and get things in order," said Kapil.
The picture of who will win the Orange Cap in IPL 2025 has become completely clear, but the place of Suryakumar Yadav, who came second, is still in danger. Virat Kohli is still in the race for the IPL 2025 Orange Cap, but he will hardly be able to leave Sai Sudharsan behind, but he has a chance to leave Surya behind.
On the other hand, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer, who played an unbeaten 87-run innings against Mumbai Indians in the second qualifier match, has entered the club of batsmen who have scored 600 runs this season. He is the sixth batsman to score 600 runs in this season and also has the highest run scorer for Punjab.
Kohli can leave Surya behind
The IPL 2025 Orange Cap will remain in the name of Sai Sudarshan and it will be difficult for Virat Kohli to leave him behind. Sai has 759 runs in 15 matches and Virat Kohli has scored 614 runs in 14 matches. Kohli has only one match left in the form of the final. If Kohli scores 104 runs in this match, he can overtake Suryakumar and come to the second position. SKY has scored 717 runs in 16 matches.
There is a possibility that Kohli will score 104 runs in the final, but as far as leaving Sai behind is concerned, for this Kohli will have to play an innings of 146 runs against Punjab Kings, which does not look easy and its possibility also seems less. So, Sai's position seems safe, but Kohli may leave Suryakumar behind.
Shreyas Iyer's stunning 87* runs against MI in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 puts him at the forefront of most 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs. Explore the complete list and key performances!
In a crucial stage like IPL playoffs, captains are expected to not only lead their team but also deliver crucial performances. The ability to score big when the team need you the most sets certain leaders apart.
We bring you the most 50+ scoresas a captain in IPL playoffs. See how Shreyas Iyer is leading this elite group with being the exceptional captain that he is.
1. Shreyas Iyer (3 times) | DC, KKR, PBKS
Shreyas Iyer during his unbeaten 87 vs MI in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2. Image | Instagram
Shreyas Iyer has swiftly risen as a captain who performs under pressure in IPL playoffs. He holds an exceptional record of being the only captain to lead 3 different franchises to the final (Delhi Capitals in 2020, Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, and Punjab Kings in 2025).
He has also delivered 50+ scores thrice for his team in IPL playoffs. Here's a breakdown of that:
65* vs MI (Final, IPL 2020): An unbeaten 65* off 50 balls in the vital match while captaining DC, which came off when the team's top-order collapsed early. Despite their defeat in that match, Iyer's knock helped them reach a hopeful total.
58* vs SRH (Qualifier 1, IPL 2024): A captain's knock of 58* runs (from 24 balls) that set the tone for KKR's successful victory in the Q1 and led them into the finals.
87* vs MI (Qualifier 2, IPL2025): From handling Bumrah's brilliant yorkers and turning them into boundaries, to keeping the asking rate down with towering sixes, this man has done it all in this match under pressure! Iyer's 87* off 41 balls (featuring five 4s and eight 6s) took PBKS to the final after 11 long years.
Rohit Sharma hitting a six against DC in IPL 2020 Final. Image | NDTV
The five-time IPL winning captain, Rohit Sharma, holds a place with his 2 times delivering 50+ scores as a captain in IPL playoffs, playing for Mumbai Indians.
He scored both of them in Finals, contributing to MI's title-winning years. Here's a breakdown of that:
50 vs CSK (Final, IPL 2015): Helped MI set a strong total with his 50 runs off just 26 balls, showcasing his leadership in the team's title-winning efforts for the 2nd time in IPL.
68 vs DC (Final, IPL 2020): Played a captain's knock of 68 runs (from 51 balls) to control the chase and secure their 5th IPL title.
3. MS Dhoni (2 times) | CSK
Dhoni in action against DC in IPL 2012 Qualifier 2. Image | NDTV
One of the most successful captains in IPL history, MS Dhoni has played a significant role with the bat along with wicket-keeping and strategising overall. He scored 50+ knocks 2times as a captain in IPL playoffs for Chennai Super Kings.
He scored both of them against MI, in different IPL seasons. Here's a breakdown of that:
51* vs MI (Eliminator, IPL 2012): Dhoni's explosive knock of 51* runs from just 20 balls helped CSK post a competitive total which eventually converted to a victory.
63* vs MI (Final, IPL 2013): In a hard-fought final against MI, his unbeaten 63 off 45 balls kept the hopes alive for CSK, but fell short of 23 runs in the end.
David Warner celebrating after his match-winning 93 against GL in IPL 2016 Qualifier 2. Image | Instagram
David Warner was a dominant force at the top of the order for Sunrisers Hyderabad and an equally good captain. He delivered many impactful performances throughout, along with 50+ scores 2 times in playoffs.
He scored both of them in IPL 2016, the season when SRH became champions. Here's a breakdown of that:
93* vs GL (Qualifier 2, IPL 2016): A sensational match-winning knock of 93* runs off 58 balls when the team needed it the most. He single-handedly chased down and took the match out of a poor situation, securing the win.
69 vs RCB (Final, IPL 2016): A classy knock in the final of the same season, where his explosive 69 runs (off 38 balls) helped SRH set 208 runs on board. They successfully defended and lifted their maiden IPL title by winning that match.
Journey through Indian Test cricket history to find out the 5 youngest cricketers to lead India in Tests. Learn about the early leadership and how the recently appointed test captain, Shubman Gill, joins this elite group.
In Test cricket, captaincy is often associated with experience and seasoned wisdom, which matters in the long format. However, young talents step up early and prove how they are worthy of leadership.
With Shubman Gill stepping up as the new test captain for India, let's take a moment to celebrate the youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.
Here we bring you the five youngest cricket to ever represent India in tests as a captain.
5. Shubman Gill (25 years 285 days) | 2025
Shubman Gill representing India in tests. Image | BBC
The newest nameto join this list of young Indian test captains is Shubman Gill. At the age of 25 years and 285 days, Gill became the 37th test captain of India, and is set to lead in the longest format of the game.
The Indian team will play under Gill's captaincy with the commencement of five-match test series against England on June 20, 2025. This was a major change in the test squad after the former captain, Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli, announced retirement from tests.
Gill made his test debut against Australia in December 2020, and scored 1893 runs, with 5 centuries and 7 fifties so far. With this new turnaround in his career, he became the 5th youngest cricketer to lead India in tests.
Ravi Shastri representing India in tests. Image | ESPNcricinfo
A prominent all-rounder and later a successful coach for the Indian team, Ravi Shastri also briefly held the reins of Test captaincy. He took on the role at the age of 25 years and 229 days, when he led India against West Indies on January 11, 1988.
His captaincy tenure was limited to a single match, but it was a memorable one, as India secured a victory by 255 runs. Shastri scored 3830 runs and took 151 wickets in his test career, that spanned from 1981 to 1992.
3. Kapil Dev (24 years 48 days) | 1983
Kapil Dev representing India in tests. Image | NDTV
The legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev stepped into test captaincy for India at the age of 24 years and 48 days. His first match as a captain was against West Indies on February 23, 1983.
Dev captained India in 34 matches and proved how he was worthy of the position with true leadership skills at such young age. He took 434 wickets and scored 5248 runs in his test career (1978-1994).
He is still the youngest captain to win the World Cup for any team, and comes third in the list for youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.
Sachin Tendulkar representing India in tests. Image | NDTV
One of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar also had his tenure as the test captain of India at the age of 23 years and 169 days. He first took on the captaincy to lead India in a match against Australia, in 1996.
Tendulkar's captaincy journey had two phases, with him leading in 25 matches. He had an incredible test career with 15921 runs in 200 matches, which is still the highest by any batter in the world!
1. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years 77 days) | 1962
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi representing India in tests. Image | Instagram
Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi remains India's youngest ever test captain, having taken the role at the age of just 21 years and 77 days! He was famously known as 'Tiger' Pataudi in the field of cricket.
He captained India in 40 matches out of his 46-match test career. Despite losing his right eye in an accident early in his career, he continued to play and lead with brilliant skills and courage.
Pataudi scored 2793 runs, smashing 6 centuries and 16 half-centuries in his test career (1961-1975).
AB de Villiers has the record for winning the most P.O.T. awards in IPL history. Among Indians, Rohit Sharma has won the most player of the match awards in the tournament.
While team victories are the ultimate goal in IPL, the 'Player of the Match' (P.O.T.M) award is the direct recognition of a player's game-changing performance.
Winning P.O.T.M a couple of times shows how a player has outshined the rest and truly dominated the game. We will now explore the players with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL.
Keep an eye out, as Rohit Sharma is remarkably close to reaching the top.
1. AB de Villiers (25 P.O.T.M Awards)
AB de Villiers holding his M.O.M for RCB in a match in IPL 2021. Image | Firstpost
The "Mr. 360" of cricket, AB de Villiers, holds the most P.O.T.M awards in IPL history with 25awards throughout his career with DC and primarily Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Whether it was fast paced fifties or scorching hundreds, his impact was undeniable. His IPL career spanned from 2008-2021, and yet no one could match his numbers in terms of Player of the match awards.
Chris Gayle receiving the P.O.T.M award for his spectacular knock of 175 runs off 66 balls in IPL 2013. Image | BBC
Whether it's the list of most sixes in IPL or highest individual scores, this West Indies legend always finds his spot in the top for all of them. Chris Gayle has the second-most P.O.T.M awards in IPL with 22awards in total.
He played for franchises like KKR, PBKS, and RCB, and won multiple awards at his prime years like 2011 (smashed 2 centuries), 2012 (claimed the Orange Cap) and of course, 2013, where he scored the monumental 175* against PWI.
3. Rohit Sharma (21 P.O.T.M Awards)
Rohit Sharma receiving the P.O.T.M award for his performance against GT in Eliminator of IPL 2025. Image | Instagram
Rohit Sharma is the Indian player with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL and the third-highest in this list. He received 21 awards and is just an award away to equal Gayle's number.
Sharma received 2 P.O.T.M awards in IPL 2025; one for his 75* (45 balls) against CSK in league stage, and the other for his 81 runs off 50 balls against GT in IPL Eliminator.
As Mumbai Indians are set to play the Qualifier 2 this season, there's high chances of Rohit bagging another one (or maybe 2).
Virat Kohli receiving Super Striker of the match award along with P.O.T.M award in IPL 2021. Image | Twitter
One of the most consistent run-scorer and match-winner for RCB, Virat Kohli stands fourth with an impressive 19 P.O.T.M awards in IPL. He is like the heart of the team and doesn't need awards to measure his greatness.
Kohli has won a P.O.T.M award in IPL 2025 for his unbeaten 73 runs against Punjab Kings. He has scored 8 half-centuries so far this season and there might be another loading as RCB is set to play the Final.
Kohli received multiple P.O.T.M awards during the 2016 season where he scored the record-breaking 973 runs.
David Warner receiving a P.O.T.M Award in IPL 2022. Image | Instagram
The Australian legend, David Warner, had an incredible journey in IPL. He was the key player of every franchise that he represented, such as Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won 18 P.O.T.M awards in IPL.
He has also been a three-times orange cap winner (2015, 2017, 2019), which tells a lot about his career peak in IPL and the shower of P.O.T.M awards in those years.
6. MS Dhoni (18 P.O.T.M Awards)
MS Dhoni receiving the P.O.T.M award for his performance against LSG in IPL 2025. Image | NDTV
The five-time IPL winning captain, MS Dhoni, equals the number of P.O.T.M awards as Warner with 18 awards in IPL. His unparallel impact, captaincy, and match finishing abilities has earned him this high count of awards.
In IPL 2025, Dhoni won the P.O.T.M award by delivering a match-winning knock of 26* runs off just 11 balls against LSG, which also made him the oldest player to win a P.O.T.M award in IPL history, at the age of 43 years and 280 days.
The IPL is like a festival of sports for India as we call it. It is also the festival of explosive and jaw-dropping sixes. The list for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history is led by one and only, Chris Gayle. It is not surprising one bit, is it?
Dive into the list of several batters that are so close to match Gayle's six-hitting numbers, where some names will surely surprise you.
1. Chris Gayle (357 sixes)
Chris Gayle playing for RCB in IPL. Image | ESPNcricinfo
When it comes to hitting sixes in IPL, there is Chris Gayle, and then there's everyone else. This West Indies legend tops the chart for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history with 357 sixes (in just141 innings)!
Gayle's IPL journey spanned from 2009 to 2021, and he was the first batsman to cross the 300-mark in terms of sixes. He displayed his batting peak with franchises like KKR, PBKS, and especially RCB.
His most memorable six-hitting moment of IPL came in 2013 when he smashed 175* runs off 66 balls against PWI, hitting 17 explosive sixes.
Rohit Sharma playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL. Image | Instagram
Known for his aggressive start and batting, Rohit Sharma, is the only batter who has hit 300+ sixes after Gayle in IPL history. He holds the second place, with 302 sixes (in 265 innings).
The hitman doesn't like to take things slow, and always delivers the ball out of the boundary with his powerful pulls and cover drives. Once he gets in his six-hitting zone, it truly gets difficult to stop him!
Sharma has consistently stood up for the team, and these numbers are about to get high as he will continue to play and dominate in IPL in the future.
3. Virat Kohli (291 sixes)
Virat Kohli playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL. Image | Instagram
When has it occurred that there's a list of excellent batting records where this man doesn't hold a spot?
Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, holds the 3rd position with 291 sixes (in 258 innings). Even though he is widely known for his exquisitecover drives and hitting smooth boundaries, his ability to time the ball perfectly out for a six has been phenomenal throughout his IPL career.
Kohli is just 9 sixes away to cross the 300-mark, that he might cross in IPL 2025 itself!
MS Dhoni playing for CSK in IPL. Image | ESPNcricinfo
MS Dhoni, like the greatest finisher he is, has hit an impressive 264 sixes (in 242 innings) in his IPL career so far. He has been brutal in the death overs and has always made sure his team takes the victory home when he his unbeaten at the crease.
Dhoni's six-hitting skills often changes the momentum of the game and puts the opposition under immense pressure, as he becomes unstoppable!
5. AB de Villiers (251 sixes)
AB de Villiers playing for RCB in IPL. Image | Facebook
The South African legend, AB de Villiers, holds several batting records and had delivered many cherishable moments for RCB throughout his IPL journey (2008-2021), and this is one of them. He is the 5th batter to have 250+ sixes in IPL history.
He hit 251 sixes (in 170 innings) which tells a lot about his phenomenal skills and love for hitting sixes. He had the ability to deliver the ball in every corner of the stadium and was called "Mr. 360" for a reason!
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