The IPL 2025 season is going to be exciting with new teams and big player signings. Teams have kept their best players and made smart choices in the auction, making their squads strong and ready for a fun tournament. Fans can also enjoy platforms like Saffron Exch to play fantasy games and try sports betting.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
- Squad Strength: 25 players (18 Indian, 7 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni
- Top Auction Buys: Noor Ahmad (₹10 Cr), Ravichandran Ashwin (₹9.75 Cr)
CSK continues to focus on experience and depth, with a spin-heavy lineup tailored for their home ground at Chepauk. While the team is well-balanced, they rely on aging players like MS Dhoni to anchor the team, which could impact consistency.
- Key Strengths: A spin-rich lineup and experienced Indian pacers.
- Weaknesses: Dependence on senior players for leadership and key contributions.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
- Squad Strength: 20 players (14 Indian, 6 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Sandeep Sharma
- Top Auction Buys: Jofra Archer (₹12.5 Cr), Wanindu Hasaranga (₹5.25 Cr)
Rajasthan Royals have put together a squad with a strong bowling lineup, including Jofra Archer and Hasaranga. Their batting strength lies in players like Jaiswal and Samson, who have consistently delivered. However, their thin batting reserves may leave them exposed in high-scoring matches.
- Key Strengths: A potent spin duo and a reliable pace unit led by Archer.
- Weaknesses: Lack of depth in batting reserves could limit their ability to recover from early collapses.
Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG)
- Squad Strength: 24 players (18 Indian, 6 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav
- Top Auction Buy: Rishabh Pant (₹27 Cr)
The acquisition of Rishabh Pant has given LSG a massive boost in their batting department. With a strong Indian pace lineup and explosive hitters like Pant and Pooran, they’re well-equipped to chase down big totals. However, the lack of experienced spinners apart from Bishnoi could be a weak link.
- Key Strengths: Dominance in pace bowling and a batting lineup capable of taking on any bowling attack.
- Weaknesses: A shortage of Indian spinners to support Bishnoi could hurt them in spin-friendly conditions.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
- Squad Strength: 20 players (13 Indian, 7 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Reddy
- Top Auction Buys: Ishan Kishan (₹11.25 Cr), Mohammed Shami (₹10 Cr)
SRH boasts a balanced team with explosive hitters like Klaasen and a formidable pace attack led by Pat Cummins and Mohammed Shami. Adding Ishan Kishan to the top order strengthens their batting further, but their reliance on overseas players to control middle overs could be a challenge.
- Key Strengths: A mix of power-hitters and tactical bowlers ensures SRH can dominate high-pressure games.
- Weaknesses: Dependence on foreign players for key positions in the middle overs may disrupt team balance.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
- Squad Strength: 23 players (15 Indian, 8 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma
- Top Auction Buys: Trent Boult (₹12.5 Cr), Deepak Chahar (₹9.25 Cr)
Mumbai Indians have reinforced their already strong squad with the addition of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, giving them one of the best bowling lineups in the league. While their batting lineup remains reliable, their lack of depth in wicketkeeping options could present challenges in balancing their playing XI.
- Key Strengths: A solid Indian core backed by versatile overseas bowlers.
- Weaknesses: Limited options in the wicketkeeping department could affect flexibility.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
- Squad Strength: 25 players (18 Indian, 7 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan
- Top Auction Buys: Jos Buttler (₹15.75 Cr), Kagiso Rabada (₹10.75 Cr)
Gujarat Titans have assembled a flexible squad with a robust overseas bowling attack and dynamic batsmen like Buttler at the top. However, they lack a proven death bowler, which could cost them in close matches.
- Key Strengths: An adaptable bowling attack and a dynamic top order.
- Weaknesses: Vulnerability in the death overs due to the absence of a reliable finisher with the ball.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
- Squad Strength: 22 players (14 Indian, 8 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal
- Top Auction Buys: Josh Hazlewood (₹12.5 Cr), Liam Livingstone (₹8.75 Cr)
RCB remains a fan favorite with an explosive top order led by Virat Kohli. Their pace attack, strengthened by Hazlewood, looks promising. However, their lack of a reliable overseas spinner could leave them exposed in certain conditions.
- Key Strengths: A power-packed batting lineup and a well-rounded pace attack.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistency in the spin department could hurt their performance on turning tracks.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
- Squad Strength: 23 players (16 Indian, 7 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel
- Top Auction Buys: KL Rahul (₹14 Cr), Mitchell Starc (₹11.75 Cr)
Delhi Capitals have built a formidable squad with a mix of young and experienced players. While their pace attack led by Starc looks dangerous, they lack depth in their spin department beyond Kuldeep Yadav.
- Key Strengths: Explosive batting and a strong pace attack.
- Weaknesses: Limited spin options could hurt them in spin-friendly conditions.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- Squad Strength: 21 players (13 Indian, 8 overseas)
- Key Retentions: Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh
- Top Auction Buys: Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 Cr)
KKR boasts a mix of seasoned T20 players and dynamic all-rounders. Russell and Narine remain key to their success, but their heavy reliance on these two stars could be a potential weakness.
- Key Strengths: A blend of experienced T20 specialists and promising young talents.
- Weaknesses: Over-dependence on Russell and Narine for both batting and bowling contributions.