With political situation taking a new turn in Afghanistan, uncertainty and unpredictability is looming around the future of their top cricketers. Moreover, especially Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi. They are due to compete in the remainder of the IPL 2021 in the UAE from September 19.
The Taliban is set to take over the reins of the South Asian country as President Ashraf Ghani has reportedly fled to Tajikistan. Rashid and Nabi are not in Afghanistan. Moreover, They are currently in United Kingdom, competing in the 'Hundred' tournament. Rashid is playing for Trent Rockets and Nabi is representing London Spirits. The BCCI is keeping an eye on the developments. However, they are hoping to see participation of Afghan players in the IPL 2021.
"It is too early to comment but we are keeping a watch. For us, nothing changes and we expect Rashid and other Afghan players would be part of IPL," a BCCI source told PTI.
Rashid Khan & Mohammed Nabi both plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL. However, Afghanistan already have a schedule to tour Sri Lanka this month. Moreover, They will play 6 limited overs game in Sri Lanka. Rashid khan is regular for SRH as the spinner plays all the matches in IPL except injuries. "Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos, thousand of innocent people, including children & women, get martyred everyday, houses & properties being destructed. Thousands of families displaced. Don't leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans & destroying of Afghanistan. We want peace," Rashid had tweeted a few days back. PTI.
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
Shane Watson playing for CSK in IPL 2019. Image | NDTV
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.
Faf du Plessis playing for RCB in IPL 2024 Eliminator. Image | Instagram
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.
Shubman Gill celebrating his century for GT in IPL 2023. Image | Pinterest
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.
MS Dhoni in action for CSK in IPL playoffs. Image |
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
Span
Matches
Innings
Runs
Highest
Avg
SR
100
50
4s
6s
2008-2023
28
23
523
63*
34.86
132.07
0
2
32
28
1. Suresh Raina | 714 Runs
Suresh Raina playing for CSK in IPL playoffs. Image | ESPNcricinfo
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.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. And as the IPL 2025 is about to enter the Playoff stage, the level of competition goes significantly up.
The IPL Playoff is an intense phase of the tournament where players need to perform at their best. Thus, there’s constant pressure on batters and bowlers to give their 100 percent, as a tiny mistake can make or break the team’s campaign. Bowlers are under even more pressure as they are the ones who can help teams win the tournament.
Let's take a look at the top 5 bowlers with the most wickets in IPL playoffs history.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has dismissed the batters 17 times in the IPL playoffs at an economy rate of 7.27. During his playing time in the IPL, he has 150 wickets under his name with a stellar economy of 7.08.
The veteran off-spinner has won IPL titles with Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.
4. Ravindra Jadeja | 19 Wickets
Off-spinner Ravindra Jadeja has claimed 19 wickets in the IPL playoffs. He traps the bowler with his spin and is also quite handy with the bat. He has a brilliant average of 22.52 in 23 games. The tally includes an economy rate of 7.75.
Jadeja was part of Rajasthan Royal's title-winning side in the inaugural IPL season (2008). He also won the trophy in 2018, 2021, and 2023 with the Chennai Super Kings.
3. Mohit Sharma | 20 Wickets
Gujarat Titans pacer Mohit Sharma took 20 wickets in the IPL playoffs. He has been consistently providing breakthroughs when the team needed it most. Having represented CSK and GT in the playoffs, Mohit has taken 20 wickets from 10 games at 15.80. His tally includes an economy rate of 8.77 along with a fifer.
Mohit also played for the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 final.
2. Ravichandran Ashwin | 21 Wickets
With 21 wickets in the IPL playoffs, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a key bowler for Chennai Super Kings, delivering vital spin breakthroughs in pressure moments. Ashwin played for three franchises - CSK, Delhi Capitals, and RR - in the IPL playoffs.
Ashwin snapped up 21 wickets from 24 IPL playoff games at 30.23. Notably, Ashwin also has a maiden over in the playoffs. He won the title with CSK in 2010 and 2011. He bowled a match-winning spell (3/16) in the 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In IPL 2025, he has claimed seven wickets in the nine games he has featured in.
Former CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has taken the most wickets in the IPL playoffs, becoming a standout bowler for Chennai Super Kings. He was known for his death-over skills and crucial wickets in crunch situations. All-rounder Bravo was a mainstay seamer in Chennai Super Kings' pace attack for a decade.
Bravo starred in three of their title-winning campaigns (2011, 2018, and 2021). He also played the final with CSK in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2019. Bravo, who also played for Gujarat Lions, took 28 wickets from 19 playoff matches at 18.21.
With the IPL 2025 playoffs just around the corner, the tension is reaching its peak. Over the years, the Indian Premier League has given fans plenty of memorable moments full of surprises at the fag end of the group stage. Generally, the fans have to wait till the last over of the group stage to know who will qualify for the IPL Playoffs.
Sometimes, it even goes to the final ball as well, to decide the fourth team to qualify.
From teams that regularly reach the playoffs to underdogs who’ve shocked everyone, the path to the final four has always been full of drama.
Let's take a look at the IPL Playoffs teams from 2008 to 2025.
IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians makes additions to their squad with signings of Bairstow, Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson
As the IPL 2025 playoffs approach, Mumbai Indians have made strategic additions to their squad with the signings of Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson.
3 teams have made their place in the IPL 2025 playoffs and only one team is yet to be decided. There is a fierce battle going on between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals for the remaining playoff spot. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians have made a three new changes in their squad.
Mumbai has announced the replacement of three foreign players. The team has included Jonny Bairstow, Charith Asalanka, and Richard Gleeson in the squad in place of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton, and Corbin Bosch. These three foreign players of Mumbai Indians are going to join their respective national teams after playing the last league match. In such a situation, the franchise had no other option but to bring their replacements.
Mumbai Indians have included England's experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow in the team as a replacement for Will Jacks for Rs 5.25 crore. Bairstow has had good experience in IPL and is considered an aggressive batsman in the T20 format. His presence is expected to strengthen the top order batting of Mumbai Indians.
At the same time, English fast bowler Richard Gleeson has been included in the team in place of Ryan Rickelton. Gleeson has been added to Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. He has been signed by Mumbai Indians for Rs 1 crore. Gleeson's fast pace and ability to bowl yorkers in the death overs can prove to be important for the team.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Charith Asalanka has been included in the squad in place of Corbin Bosch for Rs 75 lakh. Asalanka can not only bat aggressively but can also give options to the team with his part-time off-spin bowling.
Mumbai Indians are currently in the playoff race. If the team qualifies for the next round, then these three new replacement players will be available for the team from the playoff matches. This will help the team to create balance and fill the gap of foreign players.
It is worth noting that Mumbai Indians have 2 matches left in the league stage. In one match, the team will face Delhi Capitals, while in its last league stage match, it will face the challenge of Punjab Kings. Punjab has already made its place in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
In a highly competitive tournament like IPL, every match counts. The pressure intensifies during playoffs and Eliminator is one such example of an high-pressure knockout match.
From close defeats to disappointing ones, want to know which teams could not manage to survive this round the most times?
Here's the teams with most IPL Eliminator defeats.
Introduction of Eliminator in IPL
IPL playoffs format since 2011. Image | Sportskeeda
IPL's playoff format expanded in 2011 with introduction of Eliminator and Qualifier matches. The previous 3 seasons consisted of two semi-finals, involving the top 4 teams.
The introduction of Eliminator added another layer of excitement and intensity to the game ever since.
Virat Kohli and David Warner greeting before the IPL 2020 Eliminator match. Image | Instagram
Plenty of teams consistently made their ways to Eliminator by ending up in the 3rd or 4th place in league stage, but only few could make it to the next round.
We have 2 franchises with equal number of defeats in here.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (3 defeats)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are yet to have their fairytale ending in IPL. They appeared in Eliminator 5 times and lostthrice out of them, which is most number of defeats by a team in IPL Eliminator.
IPL 2020: lost to SRH by 6 wickets
IPL 2021: lost to KKR by 4 wickets
IPL 2024: lost to RR by 4 wickets
Sunrisers Hyderabad (3 defeats)
Sunrisers Hyderabad shares the joint position with RCB for having equal number of IPL Eliminator defeats. They also played 5 Eliminator matches, and lost 3 out of them.
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