The IPL 2022 Mega Auction has been completed as all of the teams have completed their squads with their choices. All of the franchise has been phenomenal throughout the two days of the auction. As we know some of the teams have desperately wanted their captains to lead in the upcoming seasons.

Captains are one of the most important assets for each and every team. In this article, we are going to see those probable captains of each team for the IPL 2022 season.

Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians

The most successful captain of IPL Rohit Sharma who has five IPL trophies (2013,2015,2017,2019, & 2020) under his belt will again lead Mumbai Indians for this season. Moreover, Rohit is also leading the charts in terms of win percentage in the matches he led.

Also Read: IPL Mega Auction 2022: 5 Most expensive players of this season

MS Dhoni | Chennai Super Kings

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the second most successful captain after Rohit Sharma. MSD has won 4 IPL trophies (2010,2011,2018 & 2021) and will again lead CSK in this edition. However, some talks are there over Ravindra Jadeja as the future captain of the Chennai-based franchise. The final call will be taken by the management itself if they want Jaddu to lead the side in the future.

Faf Du Plessis | Royal Challengers Bangalore

After Virat Kohli left the captaincy role of RCB, the Bangalore-based franchise was desperately looking for someone their new skipper. However, they bought Faf Du Plessis for the sum of 7 Crores who can bat at the top and has also the experience of captaincy at the international level. He may the new skipper of the side although, Maxwell is another good choice.

Read Also: "I only wanted to play for CSK", says Deepak Chahar after the IPL Mega Auction

Shreyas Iyer | Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders are the other team that was looking for a leader for their upcoming season and they bought Shreyas Iyer in the mega auction. Iyer has got 12.25 Crores and will lead the Kolkata-based franchise for the upcoming seasons of IPL. Meanwhile, Iyer has already proved his ability as captain. He helped his team Delhi Capitals to reach the finals of IPL 2020.

Rishabh Pant | Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals has already made up their mind after they retained Rishabh Pant ahead of the IPL Mega Auction and releases Shreyas Iyer. Pant will lead the side as he had done the previous year in the absence of Shreyas Iyer, who suffered an injury. Rishabh Pant has guided Delhi Capitals to the playoffs last season.

Mayank Agarwal | Punjab Kings

A new captain for the Punjab Kings Mayank Agarwal will lead the side as they release KL Rahul ahead of the Mega Auction. However, Mayank has already led Punjab in a game in which KL Rahul was absent.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Most expensive players from each team

Sanju Samson | Rajasthan Royals

Just like the previous editions this year also Sanju Samson will lead the Rajasthan Royals. Although he hasn't performed at that level as captain, he has played exceptionally.

Kane Williamson | Sunrisers Hyderabad

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson will again lead the Hyderabad franchise as they retained him for the sum of 14 Crores. Kane Williamson has been good as captain in IPL and also at the international level. So, no doubt that he is the best choice.

KL Rahul | Lucknow Super Giants

The new team Lucknow Super Giants has announced KL Rahul as their captain for the upcoming season. KL Rahul has already led Punjab Kings in the last two editions although under his guidance the team fails to reach the playoffs.

Read Also: IPL Mega Auction 2022: Full list of unsold players

Hardik Pandya | Gujarat Titans

Another new addition to IPL teams, Gujarat Titans will be led by Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Hardik Pandya has been released by the Mumbai franchise ahead of the Mega Auction and Gujarat Titans picks him as a draft player with the sum of 15 Crores. So, now Hardik Pandya has a new role to play in the upcoming seasons.

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

The 2025 IPL season has delivered a brutal reality check for Rishabh Pant. After being picked up by LSG for 27 crore, he turned out to be the most expensive flop of this season.

Can a player sustain an international career after such disappointing performance? Is Rishabh Pant's T20I career nearly over after a horrific IPL 2025?

Let's dive into the cold facts.

The disappointing IPL 2025 numbers 

Rishabh Pant was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants as the most expensive player in IPL history for ₹27 crore, which proved to be totally not worth it. He only managed to score 151 runs in 13 matches with an average of 13.73 and a strike rate barely crossing 107.

He is the lowest scorer among all the LSG batters in IPL 2025. Apart from batting performance, he also failed as a captain. The team only won 6 matches out of 13 and lost their playoffs berth under Pant's captaincy.

Pant's questionable descision-making, poor shot selections, and a complete lack of form did not justify the big price tag ahead in the auction.

Read Also: Expensive flops? Rishabh Pant and Venkatesh Iyer's IPL 2025 disappointments

Rishabh Pant stats in IPL 2025

• vs DC: 0 runs (6 balls)
• vs SRH: 15 runs (15 balls)
• vs PBKS: 2 runs (5 balls)
• vs MI: 2 runs (6 balls)
• vs KKR: 0 runs (0 balls)
• vs GT: 21 runs (18 balls)
• vs CSK: 63 runs (49 balls)
• vs RR: 3 runs (9 balls)
• vs DC: 0 runs (0 balls)
• vs MI: 4 runs (2 balls)
• vs PBKS: 18 runs (17 balls)
• vs SRH: 7 runs (6 balls)
• vs GT: 16* runs (6 balls)

The T20I context: India's current pool and future outlook

Rishabh Pant's position is now critically questionable as India's T20 squad selection prioritizes consistency in batting, high strike rates, and adaptable wicket-keeping.

The current pool of contenders are highly competitive and has the potential to outperform Pant.

Read Also: BCCI Central Contract 2025: Talking points from BCCI's contract announcement

The wicket-keeper batsman contenders

• KL Rahul: His current form in IPL 2025 is magnificent and he has consistently performed well for the team. Rahul's ability to anchor and accelerate has again brought him into T20I contention.
• Sanju Samson: Yet another prime contender with high experience and quality performance. He also holds the ability to blend well into the format.
• Dhruv Jurel: A promising young talent who also has the ability to make impactful finish for the team.
• Ishan Kishan: The pocket dynamo who started his IPL 2025 season with a phenomenal century, and gained his spot in BCCI's central contract (2025), is another strong contender.

Where Rishabh Pant fits (or doesn't fit):

Following the poor performance of Rishabh Pant, several known names have speculated about his mental state and his inability to deal pressure. The former Indian cricketer, Kris Srikkanth, also suggested that Pant should consider taking a break from his format.

Read Also: Most Player of the Match awards in T20I cricket history

The modern T20 format demands a lot of things that Pant is completely missing:

• Insufficient strike rate 
• Lack of clarity in shot-making
• Inability to convert build innings 
• Diminished reliability as wicketkeeper-batter
• No longer an unique left-handed power option 
• Difficulty handling run-rate pressure 

Pant is missing the "X-factor" that he once possessed. Therefore, unless his form significantly improves soon and makes a comeback, his T20 career is effectively over.

Mumbai Indians are the fourth team to seal their playoffs spot in IPL 2025, defeating DC to get those concluding 2 points. As we move further in the tournament, the focus shifts from playoffs qualification to top 4 standings.

How can Mumbai Indians finish at the top of the points table? The calculation is pretty simple. Check them out.

Why Aim for Top 2?

The benefits of finishing in the top two in league stage are many.

• Double chance in Qualifiers: A sigh of relief as the top 2 teams will have double chances to reach the finals, playing Qualifier 1 & 2.
• Avoid Eliminator pressure: Finishing top 2 will provide the safety net and free them from knockout pressure in Eliminator, where a single bad performance can lead to elimination from the final race.

Read Also: IPL Playoffs: Teams with most IPL Eliminator defeats

How can MI finish inside top two?

• MI must win their final league stage game against PBKS (on 26 May) to keep their hopes for top 2 alive.
• PBKS need to lose another match to DC, which will restrict them from going beyond 17 points.
• RCB should lose both their remaining games (against LSG & SRH), which too will restrict them at 17 points. 

Here's how MI can be at top of the points table

If the scenarios mentioned above go in their favour, along with GT losing their last 2 games, MI will end at no. 1 in the table. Both GT and MI will have 18 points, and MI will be on top, given their NRR advantage.

Read Also: IPL Table toppers: IPL Playoffs teams from 2008 to 2025

Reasons why MI can't be on top two:

Rain can obstruct MI's way of reaching the top 2 in many ways.

• If the match between MI and PBKS gets washed out, they will end up with 17 points, making their chances slim.
• If the match between DC and PBKS also gets washed out, PBKS will go ahead with 18 points.
• If any of the last two games of RCB get washed out, they will also go ahead in terms of points.

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.

Read Also | Most Wickets in IPL history

2008 | RR, KXIP, CSK, DD

2009 | DD, CSK, RCB, Deccan Chargers

2010 | MI, Deccan Chargers, CSK, RCB

Read Also | Most IPL Finals: Teams with most final appearances in IPL history

2011 | RCB, CSK, MI, KKR 

Read Also | IPL records: Most consecutive away wins in IPL history

2012 | DD, KKR, MI, CSK

2013 | CSK, MI, RR, SRH

2014 | KXIP, KKR, CSK, MI

2015 | CSK, MI, RCB, RR 

2016 | Gujarat Lions, RCB, SRH, KKR

2017 | MI, RPSG, SRH, KKR

2018 | SRH, CSK, KKR, RR

Read Also | SRH's poor performance and playoff hopes in IPL 2025: Can they rise?

2019 | MI, CSK, DC, SRH

2020 | MI, DC, SRH, RCB

2021 | DC, CSK, RCB, KKR

2022 | GT, RR, LSG, RCB

2023 | GT, LSG, CSK, MI

2024 | KKR, SRH, RR, RCB

2025 | GT, RCB, PBKS, MI

Barely a day after the Rajasthan Royals' IPL 2025 campaign ended, Jaiswal dropped a social media bombshell. "Whatever the future brings," Yashasvi Jasiwal's cryptic post after the Royals' end of IPL 2025 ignited a number of theories about his future with the franchise.

What exactly did he mean? What's next for the young star?

Yashasvi Jaiswal in IPL 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal was the key player and highest run-scorer for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. The franchise retained him for ₹18 crore ahead of the tournament and which was totally worth it.

Jaiswal scored 559 runs in 14 matches, with 6 half-centuries to his name.

What went wrong for Jaiswal and RR this season?

Despite Jaiswal's individual brilliance with the bat, the team's campaign ended without a playoff berth due to lack of collective consistency as an unit. The youngest debutant, Vaibhav Suryavanshi's confidence with the bat, alongside Jaiswal, was also a notable aspect for RR.

However, the team only managed to win 4 matches out of 14 played.

Read Also: Top 10 fastest fifties in IPL history

The cryptic Instagram post

Jaiswal's initial cryptic post, "Whatever the future brings," immediately sparked rumours of his departure from the Rajasthan Royals after their iPL 2025 exit. However, he later edited the caption to minimize the narratives.

He quickly edited the caption to include gratitude for the Rajasthan Royals and clarify his "next challenge" was with team India. It was aimed to turn the potential exit hint into a forward-looking statement about his international career.

Here's the edited caption of Jaiswal's post:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Yashasvi Jaiswal (@yashasvijaiswal28)

It says, "Thank you, Rajasthan Royals, for everything. Not the season we hoped for, but continue to be grateful for our journey together. On to the next challenge 🇮🇳 and whatever the future brings YBJ 64."

Read Also: India A's squad for the tour of England: Easwaran named captain, Karun Nair makes a return

Reaction and speculation from fans

Some talk about him leaving RR's side, some see his potential to join KKR for the next season. 

Here's what everyone has to say about this.

He edited the post but the auction is still long away, Jaiswal to KKR is still a high possibility given that Jaiswal wants captaincy!!#IPL2025 #YashasviJaiswal pic.twitter.com/d3LmDR5pvS

— Navneet 🚩 (@MSDian067) May 22, 2025

Yashasvi Jaiswal ? pic.twitter.com/gmOYkD928Q

— Shah (@Iamshah0000) May 21, 2025

Something isn’t right ? 👀#yashasvijaiswal #RajasthanRoyals pic.twitter.com/7exDBhK9z3

— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) May 21, 2025