The world's greatest T20 league, IPL has completed its 14th edition last Friday. Three times Champions Chennai Super Kings won it again as they defeated Kolkata in the finals to grab their 4th title in 12 years. However, we saw plenty of youngsters performed brilliantly against the greats of the world. Moreover, uncapped players like Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, and Ravi Bishnoi performed well throughout the league.

Meanwhile, in this article, we will look into the best team of this 14th edition of IPL. SportzPoint gives you the best playing xi with the bench of this year's IPL season.

#1. Ruturaj Gaikwad | CSK

Chennai Super Kings opening batsman, Ruturaj Gaikwad is one of the most talented youngsters in recent times. He produced a few good innings last year in spite of not getting a regular chance in the playing xi. Ruturaj smashes 635 runs with an average of 45.35 including a Century against the Royals. Moreover. he played with a decent strike rate of 137 this season also helped his team CSK to grab the title for the 4th time.

Ruturaj won the Orange Cap for scoring the most runs (635) in this season. So, Ruturaj will definitely come in the playing xi of the best team of this season. However, if CSK releases him, he will be a big buy in the mega auction coming next month.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Full list of award winners

#2. Faf Du Plessis | CSK

Another opener from CSK comes in the best playing xi of this season. Faf Du Plessis is always there for CSK when needed. In past seasons he saved his team from the edge of defeat. However, performing in knockouts is what Du Plessis loves to do as he scored a mammoth 86 runs in the final of this season. Faf scored 633 runs in his 16 innings with an average of 45.21. Du Plessis played with a strike rate of 138.20 and scored 6 half-centuries in this season. He finishes just behind his opening partner Gaikwad as both of them stay in the playing xi of the best team of this season.

#3. Venkatesh Iyer | KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders rising star Venkatesh Iyer didn't get a single game in the first leg. But, KKR management tried him as an opener in the second leg and he pays off. Iyer scored 41 runs in his debut match against RCB. Iyer scored 370 runs with an average of 41.11 this season. He played with a strike rate of 129 and registered 4 half-centuries with the highest score of 67. For his impactful performance, KKR reached the finals after losing 5 matches in the first leg. So, Venkatesh Iyer is a must-pick for this season's best team.

Read Also: Five biggest upsets in T20 World Cup till now

#4. KL Rahul (C & wk) | PBKS

Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul is also a must-pick as he has been playing superbly for the last 3 seasons. Moreover, Rahul leads Punjab for both batting and keeping the wickets. Rahul smashed 628 runs with a huge average of 62.60 in just 13 innings. He played with a decent strike rate of 138.80 and also scored 6 half-centuries including the highest score of 98*.

As a skipper, Rahul has also done well. Although his team doesn't make it to the playoffs Rahul tried well and Punjab finishes in 6th place in this season.

#5. Glenn Maxwell | RCB

Glenn Maxwell is the best buy for this season's auction. Royal Challengers Bangalore management picks him in 14.25 crores and he delivers what he is known for. Glenn Maxwell scored 513 runs in 15 innings with an average of 42.75. Maxwell scored with an impressive strike rate of 144.10 including 6 half-centuries and with the highest score of 78.

Glenn Maxwell contributes not only with his batting but also with his bowling skills. Maxwell took 3 wickets and bowls in the powerplay for RCB in the absence of Washington Sundar in the squad. So, Maxwell will definitely include in this season's best team.

Read Also: ICC T20 World Cup: Last 6 "Player Of The Series" Winners

#6. Shimron Hetmyer | DC

Delhi Capitals' middle-order batsman come finisher Shimron Hetmyer had a great IPL this year. Hetmyer played with the best strike rate among all. He played with a huge strike rate of 168.05. Shimron scored 242 runs with an average of 34.57 including a quickfire half-century of 25 balls. Hetmyer finishes for DC quite well this year, thus he surely comes in this team.

#7. Ravindra Jadeja | CSK

Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is always in the best xi. However, be it batting or bowling or fielding Jadeja delivers in all the departments. In this season Jadeja took some great catches. Also, do well in the fielding department. Coming towards the batting we all know that Jaddu smashes 37 runs inside an over in the first leg. He played the role of the finisher in the team.

Jadeja scored 227 runs with an impressive average of 75.66 this season. Also, played with a good strike rate of 145.51 including a highest score of 62* runs. In the bowling department, Jaddu took 13 wickets with an average of 26.61 and the best figure of 3/13.

#8. Sunil Narine | KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders star all-rounder Sunil Narine performs well in this season. Narine again delivers for KKR as they reach Finals after 7 years of the long wait. Narine picks up 16 wickets with an average of 22.54 in this season. He also bowls with a good economy rate of 6.44 and took the best figure of 4/21. Meanwhile, Narine plays a good cameo inning against RCB in the eliminator. Also, he bowls in death for Kolkata this season and has done well. So, he is also a must-pick in this season's best team choice.

Also Read: T20 world cup 2021: Most T20i wickets

#9. Harshal Patel | RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore traded Harshal Patel from DC before this year's IPL season. Harshal proved that he can do the work for RCB, what's RCB needed a death bowler. He took 32 wickets in 15 matches with a brilliant average of 14.34. Harshal also took his career-best figures of 5/27 and also took a four-for in this season. He finished with 32 wickets this season.

DJ Bravo also took the same number of wickets for CSK and they both are joint highest wicket-taker of IPL in a single season. Moreover, Harshal is the first Indian uncapped player to take most wickets and also the Purple Cap winner of this season.

#10. Varun Chakravarthy | KKR

Kolkata's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy confirms his spot in the best xi of this year's IPL. Varun took 18 wickets in 17 matches and bowls with an average of 24.88. Meanwhile, Varun has also a good economy rate of under 7 this season with the best bowling figure of 3/13. He also bowls well in the IPL 2021 finals despite CSK scored a big total.

Read Also: T20 World Cup 2021: Venues that will host the matches in detail

#11. Avesh Khan | DC

Young and talented Avesh Khan came at the last number as he impressed everyone with his bowling. Avesh Khan played for Delhi this season and took 24 wickets. He has bowled with an impressive average of 18.75 including his best figures of 3/13 in this season. So, Delhi Capitals pacer Avesh Khan will surely be a part of the best team of this season.

Bench: Prithwi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Sanju Samson(wk), Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jason Holder, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Most Orange Cap Holders In IPL History

This team was from our side, what's your team for this season? Let us know in the comments and Keep following SportzPoint to keep yourself updated.

Australia's star fast bowler Mitchell Starc added a big achievement to his name on Wednesday by becoming the bowler to take the most wickets in ICC tournament finals. Starc achieved this feat by taking two wickets on the first day of the World Test Championship 2025 final against South Africa at Lord's. Starc, playing his fifth ICC final, has taken 11 wickets so far and is expected to increase it.

Also Read: Highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25

With this, Starc also broke the record of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami as soon as he took the second wicket. This record was earlier in the name of Shami, who had taken 10 wickets in four ICC finals.

So, let's take a look at the bowlers with most wickets in ICC tournament finals.

Most Wickets in ICC Tournament Finals

6. Glenn McGrath | 8 Wickets

The former legendary Australia pacer Glenn McGrath featured in a total of 5 ICC finals for the Baggy Greens and took 8 Wickets for his team. McGrath was one of Australia’s most important players for several years and he always stepped-up big time in finals of major tournaments.

McGrath was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2002 edition of the ICC tournament with 8 wickets in 3 matches after Muttaih Muralidharan who has claimed 10 wickets in as many games.

5. Kyle Jamieson | 8 Wickets

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson also took 8 Wickets in the ICC tournament finals after appearing in 3 innings. In the 2019–2021 World Test Championship Final, Jamieson was named as the man of the match, after taking seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

4. Ravindra Jadeja | 8 Wickets

Ravindra Jadeja comes fourth on this list. Jadeja’s evolution from a utility player to a match-winner is reflected in his 8 ICC final appearances. In his 8 finals, Jadeja dismissed 8 players in ICC tournament finals.

His all-round prowess was key to India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2013, where he was the leading wicket-taker. He has since played vital roles in T20 World Cup finals and two successive WTC finals (2021, 2023), as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy. 

3. Trent Boult | 8 Wickets

New Zealand's veteran pacer Trent Boult is true to the 'big-match player' tag with 8 wickets in his 4 ICC Finals. Boult played a massive role in the Kiwis' success in ICC tournaments and gave brilliant bowling performances in the finals as well.

Boult was also the joint leading wicket taker at the 2015 Cricket World Cup. In 2018, he became the third bowler for New Zealand to take a hat-trick in ODIs.

2. Mohammed Shami | 10 Wickets

India's star bowler Mohammed Shami now comes second in this list. In four ICC finals, Shami has taken 10 wickets at an average of 38.90, an economy rate of 3.95 and best bowling figures of 4/76 in the WTC final 2021 against New Zealand.

Shami is also the leading wicket-taker among Indian bowlers in ODI World Cups and also led all bowlers in the 2023 edition with 24 wickets in seven outings. He continued his magical run in ICC events with a five-wicket haul in his maiden Champions Trophy game (ongoing contest against Bangladesh).

Also Read: Most Runs in WTC 2023-25

1. Mitchell Starc | 11* Wickets

Australia's pace ace Mitchell Starc has became the highest wicket-taker in ICC tournament finals. The left-arm quick achieved the milestone during the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's. Starc, playing in his fifth ICC final, has now taken 11 wickets across tournament deciders.

The milestone came in style as Starc struck early in South Africa's second innings, cleaning up Aiden Markram for a duck. He followed it up with the dismissal of Ryan Rickelton for 16, ending Day 1 with figures of 2/10 in a fiery spell.

He also became the joint second-highest wicket taker in ICC knockout games. He is sharing the spot with former Aussie legend Glenn McGrath and Mohammed Shami, who each have taken 22 wickets. The top spot is with former Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 23 wickets.

The cricket world, known for its constant evolution, has seen a drastic shift in a month. Over the past month, six notable players have chosen to conclude their careers on the global stage.

From legendary batsmen to powerful all-rounders, these departures mark a significant moment in the history of cricket. These aren't just names; they are players who have shaped matches and won the hearts of millions.

Explore the list of 6 cricketers who announced their retirements since last month.

1. Rohit Sharma (Test retirement) | May 7, 2025

On May 7, 2025, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of his remarkable journey as a batsman, as well as India's captain in tests. His test career lasted for 12 years since his debut in 2013.

Sharma transformed himself into a brilliant test opener in the latter half of his career. One of his defining moments in Test cricket arrived in 2019 against South Africa, where he hammered a majestic 212 runs as an opener, showcasing his ability to wear down opposition attacks.

He is the fifth-most successful Test captain for India, leading to 12 Test victories.

Rohit Sharma's stats in tests:

2. Virat Kohli (Test retirement) | May 12, 2025

Following Rohit's retirement, India lost the era's most dominant force in test cricket. The announcement of Virat Kohli's test retirement on May 12, 2025, resonated globally, leaving everyone shocked and upset. 

Kohli approached the test format with a fierce competitive spirit and hunger for runs. His dedication and skill set in this format saw him notch 7 double centuries in his test career. He also became the most successful test captain of India during the 8 years (Dec 2014-Jan 2022) of his captaincy tenure, leading to 40 wins.

This decision of Kohli to step away from tests also brought the interests of Indian fans in tests in question. This retirement indeed marked the end of an era.

Virat Kohli's stats in tests:

3. Angelo Mathews (Test retirement) | May 23, 2025

Sri Lanka's enduring test pillar, Angelo Mathews, concluded his test career on May 23, 2025. He left behind a legacy of resilience and crucial performances as an all-rounder. 

Mathews possessed the ability to adapt his game and accelerate when required. His unbeaten 200 runs against Zimbabwe in 2020 stand out as one of his vital contributions. He also took a total of 33 wickets in tests.

He led Sri Lanka in 34 matches as a captain and won 13 among them.

Angelo Mathews' stats in tests:

4. Glenn Maxwell (ODIs Retirement) | June 2, 2025

Australia's one of the most captivating hitters and match-winners, Glenn Maxwell, announced retirement from ODIs on June 2, 2025. Known for his explosive strokeplay and ability to turn the game around, he had an amazing ODI career.

Maxwell's career has many moments to highlight, but nothing can match his astonishing 201* runs against Afghanistan in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Coming back with a back injury, this innings was a masterclass in aggressive and controlled batting.

He snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, which goes down in the history of ODI cricket.

Glenn Maxwell's stats in ODIs:

5. Heinrich Klaasen (International retirement) | June 2, 2025

On June 2, 2025, Heinrich Klaasen announced his international retirement, which marked the end of a relatively short yet impactful career as a destructive batsman in white-ball cricket. 

Since his international debut for South Africa in 2018, he has been a hard-hitter of the ball and has become one of the most feared finishers in limited-overs formats. His phenomenal 174 runs off just 83 balls against Australia in an ODI in 2023 stands as a testament to his raw hitting power and ability.

Heinrich Klaasen's international stats (2018-2025)

6. Nicholas Pooran (International retirement) | June 10, 2025

The West Indies batter, Nicholas Pooran, announced his international retirement on June 10, 2025, at the age of just 29. This marked one of the earliest retirements for a high-profile West Indies player.

As a left-hander wicket-keeper batsman, Pooran quickly established himself as an electrifying hitter in white-ball cricket. He brought an aggressive approach to the crease, with the potential to turn the game in his favour.

He has done exceptionally well in his short-lived international career. His 98 runs off 53 balls against Afghanistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup perfectly tell the story of his talent.

Nicholas Pooran's international stats (2016-2025):

As the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 is getting closer to the grand final, it is now time to look back at the bowlers with standout performances. They have constantly troubled batsmen which led to their team's success.

Who do you think are the ones with most wickets? Take a look at the highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25.

Jasprit Bumrah | India

Jasprit Bumrah had a remarkable campaign in WTC 2023-25 cycle and has taken the most number of wickets. He took 77 wickets in 15 matches, with an average of 15.09. 

Bumrah recorded five 5-wicket hauls in the cycle and also had his best bowling figure of 6/45 in an innings against England.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah becomes first-ever player to pick 200 Test wickets with an average below 20

Jasprit Bumrah stats in WTC 2023-2025

Pat Cummins | Australia 

The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, has done wonders with the ball, by taking 73 wickets in 17 matches. He is the leading wicket taker for Australia and can also be on top by showcasing his wicket-taking skills in the WTC final against South Africa. 

His best bowling performance in the tournament was a 6-wicket haul for 91 runs.

Pat Cummins stats in WTC 2023-2025

Read Also: WTC Final: Australia and South Africa announce their squads

Mitchell Starc | Australia 

Yet another Australian legend to feature in this list, who is just behind Cummins by one wicket. This fiery left-arm pacer have always been a key bowling of their team. He took 72 wickets in 18 matches total.

Mitchell Starc's best bowling figure in WTC 2023-25 includes a 6-wicket haul for 48 runs.

Mitchell Starc stats in WTC 2023-2025

Other players with 60+ wickets in WTC 2023-25

Seems like the Aussies and Indians have purely dominated the bowling sides and got most wickets up their sleeves.

Read Also: Fav four in Test cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith stats in Tests

Here are the other players who crossed the 60 wickets mark and deserves a shoutout in the list of highest wicket-takers in WTC 2023-25.

In test cricket, we often expect batters to dominate the scoring. But what if the biggest surprise came from a bowler? We're talking about the incredible feat of Jasprit Bumrah, who broke all the previous records for most runs in an over in tests.

Dive into this list of players who shaped this record for most runs in an over in tests.

1. Jasprit Bumrah (35 runs) | India

• The over: 4, WD, 4, NB, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1
• Opposition: England

The current undisputed king of the "most runs in an over" record in test cricket is Jasprit Bumrah. He came out as an unlikely record-breaker and stunned everyone.

In July 2022, facing Stuart Board in England, Bumrah, who was captaining the side, smashed 35 runs in a single over.

The over included fours, a massive six off a no-ball, a wide, and even boundary off a bye, totalling 35 runs. Of these, 29 runs came off his bat directly.

Read Also: Fastest to complete 200 Test wickets by balls bowled

2. Brian Lara (28 runs) | West Indies

• The over: 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4
• Opposition: South Africa

The West Indies batting legend, Brian Lara, was the first to achieve this milestone of scoring 28 runs in a single over, which is the second-highest score.

In December 2003, facing South African left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, he showcased his destructive power with a combination of fours and sixes.

Lara's ability to dominate even the best bowlers was a hallmark of his career.

3. George Bailey (28 runs) | Australia

• The over: 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6
• Opposition: England

A decade later, in December 2013, Australia's George Bailey equaled Lara's record during an Ashes Test against England in Perth.

Bailey hit 3 sixes and 2 boundaries, along with a quick two runs, to score 28 runs in an over facing England's pacer, James Anderson.

Read Also: Most Test wins as a captain

4. Keshav Maharaj (28 runs) | South Africa

• The over: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, b4
• Opposition: England

Adding to the list is another surprising knock of South Africa's left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who joined the list for most runs in an over in tests by scoring 28 runs off an over.

In January 2020, he took on England captain and part-time spinner Joe Root, in a match played in Port Elizabeth.

Other players with 25+ runs in an over in tests:

The celebration of Royal Challengers Bangaluru's (RCB) first title win in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) has now become a cause of crisis. 11 people died and about 50 people were injured in a Bengaluru stampede during the celebration held outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Also Read: Official statement from RCB after the tragic loss of 11 people during RCB's celebration

In connection with this tragic incident, Bangaluru Police has arrested four people including a senior RCB official, while some top officials of Karnataka Cricket Association (KSCA) are still absconding.

Police arrested RCB employee

Among those arrested by the police, the prominent name is that of Nikhil Sosale, who is the marketing head of RCB. Nikhil is considered close to Virat Kohli and was seen actively in every match of the team.

He led the team's branding and marketing strategy and has been associated with the franchise for many years. This year, a picture of a woman sitting next to Anushka Sharma in the stadium during every RCB match went viral on social media. Later it was revealed that this woman was none other than Nikhil Sosale's wife Malvika Nayak.

Arrest comes after Senior IPS officer took charge

The police, on Thursday, had booked RCB, event management company DNA and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) administration over the Bengaluru stampede with CM Siddaramaiah asking the police to arrest the representatives. The KSCA officials have been absconding since Thursday night, the police said.

The arrest comes moments after Senior IPS officer Seemant Kumar Singh took charge as the new Commissioner of Bengaluru City Police, replacing B Dayananda, who was among senior officers suspended over the stampede.

After taking charge, Singh had vowed to uphold the work of his predecessors and act swiftly on the stampede. “I will immediately meet with my officers and take necessary steps regarding the incident,” he said.

Bengaluru Stampede case: What happened actually?

What was meant to be a day of celebration for cricket fans in Karnataka turned chaotic on Wednesday, as a hastily cancelled victory parade for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team gave way to confusion, swelling crowds, and a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The morning began with an announcement from team management: a victory parade would be held on an open bus, traveling the short distance from the iconic Vidhana Soudha to the stadium. Free passes for a post-parade celebration at the stadium were to be made available online. But by 11:56 am, the Bengaluru Traffic Police said that the parade was off.

However, by the time the RCB team arrived at HAL airport around 1:30 pm and travelled to their hotel before heading to Vidhana Soudha, thousands had already assembled along the intended parade route. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was slated to felicitate the players at a brief public ceremony.

Also Read: From emerging star to captain fantastic: Shreyas Iyer's IPL journey

Some spectators perched on treetops and building ledges, including the roof of the nearby Karnataka High Court. Meanwhile, large crowds also began to cluster outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The Namma Metro announced that it would bypass Cubbon Park and Dr B.R. Ambedkar metro stations due to overcrowding.

By 3 pm, police estimated that over 50,000 people were gathered within a one-kilometre radius of the stadium. Tragedy struck around 4 pm, when Gate 3 of the stadium partially opened. The mix of ticket-holders and those without passes surged toward the entrance, triggering the stampede.