The eight existing franchises announced their retention list for IPL 2022 on Tuesday. From that, the two new franchises – Lucknow and Ahmedabad – have now learned about the players they can choose before the IPL 2022 mega-auction.

Lucknow and Ahmedabad can sign up to three players (two Indian and one overseas) before mega-auction from the pool of players. However, it also includes the released players as well.

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The BCCI had set a price slab for the existing eight teams to retain their players. Similarly, the two new franchises have been given a budget of Rs 33 crore to spend from their 90 crore purse to sign their top three picks, as has been reported by Indian Express.

Importantly, the break-up for the three players would be Rs 15 crore, Rs 11 crore, and Rs 7 crore for the first, second, and third picks, respectively.

"If a player is negotiating with a new franchise, he can do it according to the purse allocation. If someone is in line to become the captain of a new team, then obviously he will be joining for Rs 15 crore," said a CEO of one of the franchises.

KL Rahul, Rashid Khan, David Warner up for grabs ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction

The deadline for the new teams to sign three players is December 25. Meanwhile, the mega auction will happen in January 2022.

Lucknow and Ahmedabad have plenty of big names to look into for their first three signings. Punjab captain KL Rahul has been in talks with Lucknow. KL Rahul himself demands his franchise to release him.

Superstar leg-spinner Rashid Khan's negotiations fell out with Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, he is also available to be roped in for the two new teams. So if the dynamic SRH opening pair of David Warner and Jonny Bairstow.

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Ahmedabad is looking to gain the services of Hardik and Krunal Pandya in their team. Because Mumbai Indians have not retained them, so is Ishan Kishan. Suresh Raina, another IPL giant has been released from his franchise, Chennai Super Kings.

Shreyas Iyer, who led Delhi Capitals to the 2020 IPL final, has also parted ways with the franchise. Delhi Capitals decided to continue with Rishabh Pant as the captain for the IPL 2022 season.

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.

Indian team's opening batsman Rohit Sharma is very eager to return to international cricket. For this, he is working hard on the field. Last week, he passed the Yo-Yo test at the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. 

During this time, apart from him, Shubman Gill and many other players had given this test. After this test, Rohit Sharma's Bronco Test was also to be done, but this test did not take place. Team India's strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux has come up with the Bronco test. However, this test has not started yet.

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Rohit did not undergo a Bronco Test

According to reports, on August 31, many players including Rohit Sharma underwent Yo-Yo test. Rohit has passed it. He proved his fitness. During this time he was supposed to undergo a Bronco test, but this test has not been implemented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet. Therefore, Rohit did not have to give this test.

According to reports, this test can be held in Dubai before the Asia Cup. Team India will leave for Dubai on the morning of September 4 and will hold its first session at the ICC Academy on September 5.

So if BCCI wants to conduct a Bronco test, it can be in Dubai. However, it is not confirmed yet. That is why Rohit Sharma did not undergo a Bronco test.

"It could happen when the squad assembles in Dubai for the Asia Cup. The team will start leaving late tonight (early morning of September 4) and have their first session at the ICC Academy on September 5. So if the management and the S&C want to do a Bronco assessment, it could happen in Dubai, if it happens at all," BCCI's Center of Excellence said.

Rohit Sharma may return on Australia tour

Rohit Sharma, who has retired from T20I and Test cricket, has been away from international cricket for a long time. He last played the final match of the Champions Trophy on 9 March.

In this match, Team India defeated New Zealand and won the Champions Trophy title. Since then, Rohit and Virat Kohli are away from international cricket. These two players may return to the three-match ODI series to be held in Australia next month. For this, both these players are sweating it out on the field.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma had expressed his desire to play in the ODI series against Australia A which is coming on a tour to India.

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What is Bronco Test?

Bronco Test is primarily used in rugby where an individual has to complete a sequence of shuttle runs. From time to time, the BCCI makes changes to the set of tests used to measure players' fitness.

While fitness tests are done for all BCCI-contracted players, India's former Strength & Conditioning coach Soham Desai revealed that those tests didn't always form a selection criterion. It isn't yet known if the Bronco Test will become a selection criterion.

The BCCI on Tuesday invited bids for the title sponsorship rights of the Indian Cricket Team after fantasy sports giant Dream11 pulled out in which companies dealing in real money gaming and cryptocurrency are prohibited as the government has banned such companies.

Dream11 has recently discontinued its real money games due to the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025'. The Act states that 'no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game'.

NEWS 🚨 - BCCI announces the release of the Invitation for Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights

More details here 👇https://t.co/Qx6YZvYWrw pic.twitter.com/0e0vCoIdBT

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 2, 2025

Since the last day to bid is September 16, it is quite clear that Team India will be seen playing the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 without any lead sponsor.

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BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle

BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle for the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League worth around Rs 1000 crore.

A BCCI release said: "Bidder, including any of its Group companies: (i) should not be engaged in online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services in India or anywhere in the world; (ii) should not provide any online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services to any Person in India; and (iii) should not have any investment or ownership interest in any Person engaged in betting or gambling services in India," 

Criteria to apply for the sponsorship

As per a release issued by the BCCI, the IEOI can be purchased after a payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 5 lakh plus any applicable GST. The Indian cricket board has also made it clear regarding the type of companies applying, which means BCCI has banned any cryptocurrency companies, online gaming platforms, alcohol companies, and tobacco companies from applying for the lead sponsorship. The companies applying for the sponsorship must also have a turnover of more than Rs 300 crore.

Also Read: Change in Asia Cup 2025 timing: Details of updated schedule here

Notably, the last date to submit the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) is September 12, while the date of submission of the bid documents is September 16.

Cricket today is almost entirely a batsman's game. Flat pitches, small boundaries and bigger bats have tilted the game heavily in favor of the batsmen. The bowlers have got nowhere to hide and, the advent of T20s, where the batsmen go after them from the first ball itself have made it even more difficult.

The T20 format has brought about a revolution where the bowlers are more than grateful to keep the run rate down, rather than to take wickets. India made a wonderful foray into the shortest format of the game, winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Over the years India is blessed to have got some big hitters in their line up who are capable of clearing any boundary in the world.

In this article we will take a look at those batters with most sixes for India in T20Is.

Most Sixes for India in T20Is

5. Hardik Pandya | 95

Hardik Pandya debuted in T20I cricket in 2016 and swiftly established himself as a key member of India's preferred playing eleven, serving as a seam-bowling all-rounder. His T20I career reached its peak in 2024, marked by outstanding all-round performances during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, helping India clinch the title. In terms of batting, Pandya has struck 95 sixes across 90 T20I innings.

Pandya has been included in the Men in Blue's 15-member squad for this year's Asia Cup. If Pandya manages to hit five more maximums in the Asia Cup, then he will go on to surpass KL Rahul's tally of 99 sixes in the shortest format. This will see the all-rounder become the Indian player with the fourth-most sixes in T20Is.

Also Read: Highest Wicket Taker in Asia Cup History (ODI + T20)

4. KL Rahul | 99

KL Rahul, who was once a consistent member of the T20I squad now finds himself out of favour in the T20I setup. Between 2016 and 2022, he played in 72 T20I matches and mostly batted in the top three.

He hit 99 sixes in 68 T20I innings. Following the T20 World Cup 2022, he was excluded from the shortest format due to his outdated approach to T20 cricket, as he did not improve his intent and strike rate.

3. Virat Kohli | 124

The Run Machine Virat Kohli has hit 124 sixes in 117 T20I innings for India. He is one of the most consistent players in the Indian team, with an average of 48.69. He made his T20I debut for India in 2010 and since then he has been a cornerstone of India's batting. Kohli also recorded 4,188 runs in T20I format, which included 38 fifties. 

“King Kohli” was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in June 2024. After winning the trophy, Kohli announced his retirement from the format. 

2. Suryakumar Yadav | 146*

Yet another batsman who has made six-hitting look extremely easy is India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav. Despite making his T20I debut in March 2021 with a match against England, the elegant middle-order batter has already launched 146 maximums in just 79 innings for Team India.

Having the ability to hit sixes at all parts of the ground with relative ease makes Yadav, a.k.a SKY, draw a comparison with South Africa’s great AB De Villiers who was called Mr. 360 in cricket. His centuries have also come against big teams like England, South Africa, and New Zealand apart from Sri Lanka. He has hit the most number of T20I sixes against West Indies (35).  

1. Rohit Sharma | 205

Former Indian T20I captain Rohit Sharma hit the most sixes for India in T20Is, having hit 205 sixes in 159 games he played. He made his debut for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup against South Africa. However, he failed to cement his place in the team. The turnaround came in the 2013 Champions Trophy when MS Dhoni promoted him up the order to open the batting with Shikhar Dhawan.

Also Read: Most matches by an Indian in international cricket

The mighty Australians have been Rohit's favourite opponent in this format against whom he has hit 29 sixes in 23 matches with Bangladesh being the second, conceding 22 sixes off his willow. Fondly called the “Hitman”, Rohit Sharma hung up his boots from T20Is after delivering the 2024 T20 World Cup title for India.