IPL 2025: Four teams that could emerge as champions
What's the story
The much-anticipated IPL 2025 season will kick off on March 22 with 10 teams gearing up to lift the silverware.
A mega auction was held ahead of the season with big names like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul bagging big-money contracts.
This season's bidding event has significantly influenced team compositions ahead of the tournament.
Here we decode the teams that are the frontrunners to clinch the trophy this year.
Mumbai Indians
Can MI get to their sixth title?
Despite a disappointing last season, the Mumbai Indians remain a force to reckon with in IPL 2025.
The five-time champions have retained their core including Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.
Their auction strategy has seen them bag big names like Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, and Will Jacks.
Hence, Chahar, Boult, and Bumrah will form the pace trio. With prominent names across all departments, MI have a great chance this year.
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MI's strongest playing XI for IPL 2025
MI's strongest XI for IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Will Jacks, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Naman Dhir, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
SRH: A team to watch in IPL 2025
After a transformative season in IPL 2024, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are emerging as strong title contenders.
The team transitioned from a defensive to an aggressive approach and ended as runners-up last season.
Their current squad boasts top players like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Heinrich Klaasen, and Pat Cummins.
With Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Shami, and Adam Zampa on board, SRH's balanced lineup makes them a formidable competitor in the upcoming tournament.
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SRH's strongest XI For IPL 2025
SRH's strongest XI for IPL 2025: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan (wk), Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Reddy, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar.
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings: A well-balanced unit
The Punjab Kings made some big signings in Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Marcus Stoinis, and Arshdeep Singh.
The franchise's case is like a sinking ship at sea with no trophies yet but their current strategy gives hope to fans for a promising season ahead.
In Iyer, Maxwell, and Stoinis, the team boasts some quality strikers. Shashank Singh aced the finisher's role last year.
While Arshdeep and Jansen are genuine wicket-takers, Yuzvendra Chahal owns over 200 IPL scalps.
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PBKS's strongest XI for IPL 2025
PBKS' strongest XI for IPL 2025: Marcus Stoinis, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Glenn Maxwell, Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kudeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Chennai Super Kings
Consistent CSK would be a constant threat
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bolstered their squad with several high-quality additions in the auction.
The five-time IPL champions boast a solid top three in skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra.
Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja are the designated finishers. Moreover, Jadeja will form the spin twin with Ravichandran Ashwin.
The duo would be lethal in Chennai. Sam Curran, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matheesha Pathirana will form the pace attack.
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CSK's strongest XI for IPL 2025
CSK's Strongest XI For IPL 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Sam Curran, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana.