The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was a run-fest like never before. With record-breaking totals, explosive powerplay performances, and relentless hitting at the death, IPL 2024 set a new benchmark for T20 cricket. As the dust settles, all eyes are now on IPL 2025. Will the batting carnage continue? Can Mumbai Indians (MI) reclaim their lost glory? Are Delhi Capitals (DC) the dark horse this season? Here’s an in-depth look at what to expect from IPL 2025.
SRH – The Team to Beat
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) head into IPL 2025 as the clear favourites. Retaining their explosive core, SRH boast a powerful batting lineup led by Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who smashed over 400 runs each at strike rates of 204 and 192 last season. Their combined strike rate of 220 in the powerplay gave SRH the highest run rate (11.17) in the first six overs.
SRH’s middle-order is equally dangerous with Ishan Kishan, Nitish Reddy, and Heinrich Klaasen, who had an incredible strike rate of 238 in the final four overs last season. Their bowling attack, featuring Mohammed Shami, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa, and Rahul Chahar, makes SRH a well-balanced side with depth in both departments.
KKR – Over-Reliant on Narine and Russell
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face a challenging season without key players like Phil Salt and Mitchell Starc. Quinton de Kock, Salt’s replacement, has struggled in recent T20 outings, raising concerns about KKR’s batting strength.
Shreyas Iyer’s absence as captain and batter will be felt deeply. Ajinkya Rahane’s elevation to captaincy and the inclusion of Manish Pandey could disrupt the team’s balance. However, the experienced duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell remains KKR’s biggest strength. Russell claimed 19 wickets last season at an astonishing strike rate of 9.2, while Narine’s powerplay aggression will be crucial for KKR’s title defense.
MI – Road to Redemption
Mumbai Indians (MI) have struggled since their back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020, making the playoffs only once in the last four seasons. However, with a strong core of Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Will Jacks, and Hardik Pandya, MI’s batting looks solid.
The return of Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult in the bowling attack is a major boost. Bumrah was the bowler of the tournament last season with 20 wickets at an economy of 6.48. However, Bumrah’s fitness remains a concern as he is expected to miss the first three matches. Mitchell Santner will lead the spin department, giving MI a well-rounded bowling attack.
DC – The Dark Horse
Delhi Capitals (DC) have struggled in recent seasons but could spring a surprise this year. The appointment of Axar Patel as captain may free up KL Rahul to focus on his batting. Jake Fraser-McGurk, who scored 330 runs at a strike rate of 234 last season, will be a key asset.
DC’s bowling attack, featuring Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel, is one of the most balanced units in the competition. With a stable lineup and experienced leadership, DC could finally break their IPL title drought.
Other Teams to Watch
- Rajasthan Royals (RR): RR have a solid top order with Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jofra Archer’s pace and the spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga make them strong contenders.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK): CSK’s reliance on experienced players like Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda could backfire. Rachin Ravindra and Shivam Dube will need to step up for CSK to remain competitive.
- Punjab Kings (PBKS): PBKS lack a reliable pace attack despite Shreyas Iyer’s leadership. Their batting also looks thin on experience.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): RCB’s over-reliance on Virat Kohli and Phil Salt at the top leaves their lower order vulnerable. A lack of spin options may hurt their playoff chances.
- Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): LSG’s investment in Rishabh Pant has left them short on quality fast bowlers. Their success hinges on Pant’s form.
- Gujarat Titans (GT): GT’s top order of Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill is strong, but an inconsistent middle order and the absence of Mohammed Shami could weaken their chances.
IPL 2025 Prediction
SRH’s explosive batting and balanced bowling make them the top contenders for the IPL 2025 title. MI and DC are expected to mount strong challenges, while KKR’s success will depend heavily on Narine and Russell. RCB and CSK face significant hurdles due to their squad composition. With a high-scoring season on the horizon, IPL 2025 promises to be another thrilling chapter in T20 cricket history.
