The auction dates for the 11th season of the Indian Premier League was announced and it will take place on January 27 and 28 and the venue will be Bengaluru. Even as the notion is that MS Dhoni is the most successful skipper in the cash-rich tournament, the reality is that Australia captain Steve Smith has a better win percentage. Smith leads the race with 16 wins in 24 games at a win rate of 66.67%.

Close on Smith’s heels is Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma. He has 45 wins in 75 games with a win percentage of 60%. Interestingly, Sachin Tendulkar is at the third spot with 30 wins from 51 games at a percentage of 58.82.

Dhoni finds a place in the fifth place behind Australian Cameron White. While White has 7 wins from 12 games at a rate of 58.33%. Dhoni has 83 wins from 143 games at 58.04.

For the upcoming editions, BCCI has also requested the broadcasters, Star Indian to change the timing for the IPL matches from the upcoming season, with the 8 pm match game beginning at 7 instead. It was during the IPL general council meeting that the chairman Rajeev Shukla floated the idea of an early start.

Shukla said, “It was just a thought (starting game at 7 pm) and everyone welcomed it but first we need to speak to the broadcaster and take their nod. We will work on modalities then. There have been many centers where traveling is a major concern. All the issues were discussed and we all thought to start the game but early.”