What is an uncapped player in IPL?

Uncapped players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are cricketers who have not represented their national team in international matches.

These players have not earned a cap, which is a symbolic recognition given to players when they make their debut in international cricket.

Uncapped players participate in the IPL based on their performance in domestic cricket tournaments around the globe.

The uncapped player rule in the IPL refers to the provision that allows franchises to include uncapped players in their squads.

Which uncapped player has the most runs in the IPL

The most runs by an uncapped player in the Indian Premier League history is Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Jaiswal created history when he scored the most runs by an uncapped player in IPL history when he passed Shaun Marsh's 15-year-old record in the 2023 campaign.

The Indian playmaker did, however, play three more IPL games than the Australian.

Jaiswal reached the historic milestone during the Rajasthan Royals' thrilling four-wicket victory against Punjab Kings at Dharamshala.

The 21-year-old left-handed opening batsman blasted 50 from 36 balls to pass Marsh's longstanding record.

Marsh had yet to represent Australia at senior-level cricket. However, at age 25, he set the inaugural tournament alight, winning the “Player of the IPL” in 2008 for Kings XI Punjab. 

The best uncapped players in IPL history

These five players can be considered the best uncapped players in IPL history. Their single-season records are the top five in the T20 competition’s history.

Jaiswal and Marsh topped 600 runs in a campaign, while Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav managed to pass 500 runs.

Devdutt Padikkal fell 27 runs short of 500, but he is still on the top five list of best seasons by an uncapped player.

Marsh scored 616 runs in only 11 matches at an average of 68.44, with one century and five fifties.

Jaiswal scored 625 runs in 14 matches at an average of 48.07. He scored one century and five fifties and with a 163.61 strike rate.

Marsh could be considered the best uncapped player in IPL history because he played three games fewer than Jaiswal, who only scored nine more runs.

The Australian’s average is more than 20 runs per innings better than the Indian opener, which also makes him the best uncapped IPL player in history.

The Indian opening batsman, playing like Chris Gayle, smashed the highest-ever score by an uncapped player in the same season.

Jaiswal's 124 came off 62 balls against the flummoxed Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium. He hit 16 fours and eight sixes, while no team-mate scored more than 18 runs.

It is the second-highest score in IPL history, where no other team-mate scored more than 20 runs.

Not since the first-ever IPL match in 2008, when Brendon McCullum smashed 158 not out for the Kolkata Knight Riders, had any player managed this feat.

Jaiswal scored his magnificent knock in the 1,000th IPL game.

Indian batter Kishan is the third player to lead the list of smashing the most runs, 516 runs, with an average of 57.3 in the 2020 season.

Kishan scored four fifties as an uncapped player. His best score was 99.

Mumbai Indians batter Yadav is in fourth. Yadav's 512 runs in the 2018 season came at an average of 36.57 and a strike rate of 133.3.

He scored four half-centuries. His best innings was 72. 

Padikkal has the fifth-most runs by an uncapped player in IPL history. Padikkal scored 473 runs back in 2020.

Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, he had an average of 31.50 and a strike rate of 124.8, with five half-centuries.
 

The highest scores by uncapped players in IPL history

Some players are considered the best uncapped players in IPL history if they scored match-defining centuries, especially if these are top scores.

Yashasvi Jaiswal | 124 (62 balls) vs MI, Wankhede 2023

Jaiswal scored one of the best centuries by an uncapped player in IPL history when he dismantled Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in 2023.

The left-hander hit 16 boundaries and eight maximums as Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai in the 1,000th IPL match. 

Paul Valthaty | 120*(63 balls) vs CSK, Mohali 2011

Chennai Super Kings set Punjab XI Kings a target of 189 on a decent batting wicket.

Paul Valthaty opened the innings with Australian superstar Adam Gilchrist for the hosts and scored a brilliant century. 

Valthaty was the only batter to score more than 20 runs in the innings. He hit 19 fours and two sixes in 63 deliveries.

His knock helped CSK chase down the target against the defending IPL champions with five balls remaining

Shaun Marsh | 115 (69 balls) vs RR, Mohali 2008

Marsh was one of the most consistent batters of all time for the Punjab Kings. He won the Orange Cap in the inaugural edition of the tournament.

The Australian played a brilliant knock against the eventual champions at his team's home ground.

The left-hander opened the innings with fellow Aussie James Hopes, adding 133 runs for the first wicket.

Marsh whacked 11 fours and seven sixes in 69 balls, announcing himself as a star in the making.

Manish Pandey | 114*(73 balls) vs DC, Centurion Park 2009

In 2008, Manish Pandey blitzed the Deccan Chargers bowling lineup to all parts of Centurian Park in Pretoria.

He faced the joint-most deliveries by a batter in the IPL - a record that he still shares with Brendon McCullum.

Pandey blasted 10 fours and 4 sixes as RCB won the match by 12 runs. 

Rajat Patidar | 112* (54 balls) vs LSG, Eden Gardens 2022

Rajat Patida played one of the best knocks in IPL playoffs history in 2022.

Batting at three, Patida dispatched the Lucknow Super Giants spinners and pace bowlers all over Eden Gardens.

He hit 12 fours and seven maximums as the Super Giants won by 14 runs, winning their first eliminator in three years.