After the IPL 2025 auction, franchise like Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and Mumbai Indians emerged strong, with key signings boosting their squads. Gujarat strengthened their pace attack, CSK enhanced their spin department, and MI added valuable all-rounders. Each team showed strategic focus, balancing youth and experience.
Chennai Super Kings – 9/10
Chennai Super Kings retained key players like MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and Matheesha Pathirana, while making impactful moves in the IPL 2025 auction. With 20 new additions, their standout signings were Ravichandran Ashwin’s return for INR 9.75 crores and Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad for INR 10 crores, completing a balanced 25-player squad.
CSK’s strength lies in its top order, led by Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, along with remarkable batting depth. Their spin department, featuring Ashwin, Jadeja, and Noor Ahmad, adds versatility. However, challenges persist: MS Dhoni’s finishing role is under scrutiny due to his age, and the inconsistent performances of Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar raise questions.
CSK Probable Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.
Mumbai Indians – 8.5/10
After a disappointing last-place finish in the previous season, Mumbai Indians approached the IPL 2025 auction with a focus on blending experience and emerging talent. Retaining core players like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma, they navigated financial constraints to secure impactful additions. Key signings included English all-rounder Will Jacks, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, and Indian pacer Deepak Chahar.
MI’s strengths include a promising opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Robin Minz, complemented by explosive middle-order hitters like Naman Dhir and Will Jacks. Their pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, is among the best in the league. However, concerns linger over their lack of depth and the inexperience of certain overseas players. A critical factor will be Hardik Pandya’s ability to bounce back and lead the team after a challenging season.
MI Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Robin Minz (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Will Jacks, Hardik Pandya, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 7.5/10
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) retained key players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, while making strategic moves during the IPL 2025 mega auction. They bolstered their squad with 19 new players, including marquee signings Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone, creating a well-rounded team of 22 players.
RCB’s strengths lie in their solid opening duo of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, a potent pace attack featuring Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and versatile spin all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and Krunal Pandya. However, concerns include a lack of depth at the No. 3 batting position and potential vulnerabilities in death bowling. Impact players like Rasikh Dar and Nuwan Thushara could play pivotal roles in addressing these gaps.
Virat Kohli is expected to lead the side with his vast experience, while Rajat Patidar could serve as his deputy.
RCB Probable Playing XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 7.5/10
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) retained key players like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh, while adding depth in the IPL 2025 auction with 15 new signings. Their marquee acquisitions included Venkatesh Iyer and Anrich Nortje, alongside several budget-friendly buys.
KKR’s strengths include a batting lineup with impressive depth and a strong spin department led by Narine and Chakravarthy. They also have reliable backups for star players like Quinton de Kock and Andre Russell, ensuring flexibility in their lineup. However, challenges remain with Nortje’s recent form, limited Indian pace bowling options, and inconsistencies in experienced players like Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane.
For captaincy, Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer emerge as top contenders, with both having demonstrated leadership potential and a strong bond with the franchise.
KKR Probable Playing XI: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Spencer Johnson, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora.
Lucknow Super Giants – 7/10
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) made headlines in the IPL 2025 auction with the blockbuster acquisition of Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crores. They retained key players like Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, and Ayush Badoni but struggled to add depth, leaving gaps in their squad compared to top-performing teams.
LSG boasts a solid mix of power-hitters and versatile players, including the experienced Mitchell Marsh and David Miller. However, concerns arise from an unsettled XI, a reliance on injury-prone players, and the lack of significant quality reinforcements. Pant’s leadership, drawing from his time with Delhi Capitals, will be pivotal, as the franchise hopes his dynamic presence justifies his record price tag.
LSG Probable Playing XI: Rishabh Pant (wk), Yuvraj Chaudhary, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Shamar Joseph, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav.
Punjab Kings – 8/10
Punjab Kings (PBKS) took a bold approach in the IPL 2025 auction, retaining only Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh before acquiring 23 new players to form a strong 25-member squad. Shreyas Iyer was their marquee signing after an intense bidding war, alongside other key additions like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen, creating a balanced mix of domestic and international talent.
PBKS’s strengths lie in their versatile bowling attack, with Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh complemented by the overseas all-round capabilities of Marco Jansen. Their spin department, led by Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar, adds further depth. However, concerns persist over the lack of left-handed batters in their top seven and potential challenges for Glenn Maxwell at No. 6 against hard lengths.
Shreyas Iyer, known for his successful captaincy stints with DC and KKR, is expected to lead PBKS in IPL 2025.
PBKS Probable Playing XI: Marcus Stoinis, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Delhi Capitals – 8/10
Delhi Capitals (DC) approached the IPL 2025 auction with strategic intent, retaining a strong core of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel while making impactful additions. Their marquee signings included KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc, alongside returning players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook, and Mukesh Kumar, ensuring balance and depth across the squad.
DC’s strengths include a powerful batting lineup with pace-hitters at the top, a versatile spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, and reliable options for both powerplay and death overs with Starc and T Natarajan. However, challenges remain in the form of limited left-handed batting options in the top six and the absence of a dominant enforcer in the middle overs.
KL Rahul, with his extensive leadership experience, is expected to captain DC in IPL 2025, with Axar Patel as a dependable vice-captain.
DC Probable Playing XI: Jake Fraser-McGurk, KL Rahul (wk), Abhishek Porel, Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan.
Rajasthan Royals – 7.5/10
Rajasthan Royals (RR) entered the IPL 2025 auction with a tight budget but executed a focused strategy to reinforce their squad. Retaining key players like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma, RR prioritized their bowling unit. Notable additions included the return of Jofra Archer and Sri Lankan spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, bolstering their spin attack.
RR’s strengths lie in their explosive top-order batting, led by Jaiswal and Samson, and a revamped bowling lineup with a blend of spin and young Indian pacers. However, the team lacks depth in batting and impactful all-rounders, leaving them vulnerable in tight situations. Archer’s fitness remains a significant concern, and with only 20 players in their squad and two overseas slots unfilled, balancing the XI could prove challenging.
RR Probable Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c/wk), Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Dhruv Jurel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma.
Gujarat Titans – 9/10
Gujarat Titans made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 auction, retaining key players like Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia while adding impactful signings such as Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, and Prasidh Krishna. Their squad of 22 players is now well-rounded, combining strength in both bowling and batting departments.
GT’s key strengths include a formidable pace attack with Rabada and Siraj, a dynamic spin unit led by Rashid Khan, and a solid opening partnership between Gill and Buttler. The mix of right-handed and left-handed batters adds flexibility to their top order. However, concerns remain about their domestic batting depth, and the fourth overseas spot will likely be filled by an experienced middle-order player to balance the side.
GT Probable Playing XI: Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Sai Sudharsan, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8.5/10
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made calculated moves during the IPL 2025 auction, retaining crucial players like Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. They further bolstered their squad with signings like Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Shami, addressing key areas while maintaining a balanced side.
SRH’s strengths include one of the most explosive batting lineups, featuring powerful pace-hitters and spin-hitters across the order. They also have depth in the batting and a formidable pace attack, covering all phases of the game, including death overs. The spin department, led by wrist-spinner Adam Zampa, is another asset. However, challenges remain with Kishan and Reddy’s vulnerability against high pace and the lack of a quality finger spinner. The team may face a dilemma when choosing between their wrist spinners or opting for an additional seamer to balance the attack.
SRH Probable Playing XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Shami, Adam Zampa.