IPL 2022: Five IPL veterans who will be missing this time

Indian Premier League begins on Saturday, with two new teams making the upcoming 15th edition a 10-team affair. The action begins with a blockbuster clash between the defending champions Chennai Super Kings and two-time former champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. In this new beginning, a few IPL legends will not be a part of the world's most popular cricket league for different reasons. Some have bid adieu to the game, some have opted out and some have been left behind in the ever progressing and extremely competitive T20 league. Whatever be the reasons for their absence, they have definitely left behind a great legacy in the league's history. TimesofIndia.com here highlights five such IPL veterans, who were almost synonymous with the league and gave fans a lot to cheer about over the last 14 editions. They are record breakers and trendsetters and will be missed by one and all when the action begins in Mumbai.

Chris GayleTeams: Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle is widely regarded as one of the best T20 cricketers ever, and he has been an absolute star in the IPL too. Since joining IPL in the first edition with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Gayle has owned a foray of records in the league. Known for his big six-hitting ability, he has smashed a record 357 sixes in 141 IPL innings - by far the most by a batter in the league. He also has the record of hitting most sixes in a single IPL innings, a record he notched up when he smacked 17 maximums enroute to a 175 not out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against the now defunct Pune Warriors in 2013. The said score of 175*, off just 66 balls, remains the highest individual score in the