IPL season 15: the teams, top players
courtesy
|| AFP ||
The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League Twenty20 extravaganza begins on Saturday when holders Chennai Super Kings face Kolkata Knight Riders.
Mumbai Indians
Key Indian players: Rohit Sharma (skipper), Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah. Mumbai bought back wicketkeeper-batsman Kishan for $2 million, the most expensive Indian player in this season's auction.
Top foreign players: Kieron Pollard (West Indies all-rounder), Fabian Allen (West Indies all-rounder), Jofra Archer. The franchise paid $1.06 million for England pace ace Archer despite being doubtful with an elbow injury.
IPL record: Five titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020). Beaten finalists in 2010.
Chennai Super Kings
Key Indian players: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (skipper), fast bowler Deepak Chahar who was bought back for $1.85 million.
Top foreign players: Moeen Ali (England all-rounder), Dwayne Bravo (West Indies fast bowler), Devon Conway (New Zealand batsman).
IPL record: Four titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021) and five runners-up finishes (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019).
Delhi Capitals
Key Indian players: Rishabh Pant (skipper), Kuldeep Yadav and Yash Dhull, a dashing young batsman who led India to victory at the Under-19 World Cup in the West Indies last month.
Top foreign players: David Warner (Australia batsman), Lungi Ngidi (South Africa fast bowler), Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh fast bowler).
IPL record: Runners-up (2020).
Lucknow Super Giants
Key Indian players: KL Rahul (skipper), Avesh Khan -- a fast bowler who was bought for $1.32 million at auction, up from a base price of $26,500.
Top foreign players: Quinton de Kock (South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman), Jason Holder (West Indies all-rounder), Marcus Stoinis (Australia all-rounder).
IPL record: New franchise owned by RPSG Group, headed by Indian tycoon Sanjiv Goenka.
Gujarat Titans
Key Indian players: Hardik Pandya (skipper), Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami.
Top foreign players: Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand fast bowler), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan leg-spinner), Matthew Wade (Australia wicketkeeper-batsman)
IPL record: New franchise owned by CVC Capital.
Punjab Kings
Key Indian players: Mayank Agarwal (skipper), Shikhar Dhawan, Shahrukh Khan -- a hard-hitting batsman who joined the team for $1.19 million. from a base price of $53,000.
Top foreign players: Liam Livingstone (England batsman), Jonny Bairstow (England wicketkeeper-batsman), Kagiso Rabada (South Africa fast bowler). Livingstone was the most expensive foreign player in this season's auction, selling for $1.52 million.
IPL record: Runners-up when named Kings XI Punjab (2014).
Rajasthan Royals
Key Indian players: Sanju Samson (skipper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin.
Top foreign players: Jos Buttler (England wicketkeeper-batsman), Nathan Coulter-Nile (Australia fast bowler), Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies batsman).
IPL record: Won inaugural edition in 2008 under late Australian great Shane Warne.
Kolkata Knight Riders
Key Indian players: Shreyas Iyer (skipper), Venkatesh Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy.
Top foreign players: Pat Cummins (Australia fast bowler), Sam Billings (England wicketkeeper-batsman), Sunil Narine (West Indies all-rounder).
IPL record: Owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the team has two titles (2012, 2014) and one runners-up finish (2021).
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Key Indian players: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik.
Top foreign players: Kane Williamson (New Zealand batsman, captain), Marco Jansen (South Africa bowling all-rounder), Romario Shepherd (West Indies fast bowler).
IPL record: Won their only IPL title in 2016 under captain David Warner.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Key Indian players: Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel.
Top foreign players: Faf du Plessis (South African batsman, replaced Kohli as captain), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lankan spinner), Glenn Maxwell (Australia all-rounder).
IPL record: Three runners-up finish (2009, 2011, 2016).
