What Can We Expect from the IPL 2025 Season?
by Steve Ashfield | by Cydias Aujard
Get Ready for a Feast of T20 Cricket
There are many T20 tournaments played around the world, but nothing beats the Indian Premier League (IPL). From March 22 to May 25, ten teams will be playing 74 action-packed matches as they battle it out to become IPL champions.
The IPL begins with the ten teams split into two groups. Each side plays the other three teams in their group twice and the four teams in the other group once. That means ten games will be played by each side at the best cricket grounds in the country from Delhi to Eden Gardens in Kolkata that hosts the final.
The two groups are:
Group A:
- Chennai Super Kings
- Kolkata Knight Riders
- Rajasthan Royals
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Punjab Kings
Group B
- Mumbai Indians
- Sunrisers Hyderabad
- Gujarat TItans
- Delhi Capitals
- Lucknow Super Giants
Those sides finishing third and fourth go into the eliminator. The winner of that match faces the loser of Qualifier 1 which is played between the sides finished first and second in the table. The winner of that match takes on the winner of Qualifier 1 in the Grand Final.
Major Signings
Before all the boundaries and wickets are taken, there’s the pre-season auction. You won’t be surprised to read that there were some massive names in the 2025 auction.
The most expensive player in the auction was Rishabh Pant who was purchased by the Lucknow Super Giants for 3.21 million crore. He’s not just a great batter but also a wicket keeper and has previously been captain of the Delhi Capitals. With over 3000 IPL runs to his name, the 27-year-old will be a major acquisition.
Shreyas Iyer will be playing for the Punjab Kings after being purchased for 3.18 million crore. He’s an outstanding batter for sure and has shown good form in the current ICC Trophy tournament. He does often struggle with his fitness so it’s a big gamble for the Kings.
Later this year, India travels to England for a test series. There’s going to be a chance to see some of England’s best players in the IPL,
Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans), Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals), Phi Salt (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Harry Brook (Delhi Capitals) and Brydon Carse (Hyderabad Sunrisers) all in action this year.
Who Might Win this year’s IPL?
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have lost Salt and Mitchell Starc but signed Quinton de Kock and Spencer Johnson. This squad doesn’t look as strong as the one that won the title.
Mumbai Indians have won the IPL on five occasions but their last win was in 2020. They look a strong side this year with talent such as Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma a massive triple threat. Their overseas talent includes Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner but they have a lot of players unproved in this competition.
Chennai Super Kings have made some major signings with R Ashwin making his return and the arrival of Noor Ahmad.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have strengthened their squad and players such as Phil Salt and Josh Hazlewood will cause plenty of problems for their opponents.
It’s going to be another fascinating and thrilling IPL season. We just can’t wait for the action to get underway.
