Are you ready to meet cricket’s next superstars? IPL 2025 promises a perfect blend of established champions and explosive new talent ready to make their mark.
Suryansh Shedge leads the pack of emerging stars with a stunning strike rate of 251.92 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi made headlines by becoming IPL’s youngest-ever player after Rajasthan Royals secured him for ₹1.1 crore.
The tournament features proven performers like Heinrich Klaasen, who dominated last season with 479 runs at a strike rate of 171.07. Adding fresh energy to the mix, uncapped sensation Robin Minz earned the nickname “Jharkhand’s Chris Gayle” thanks to his impressive T20 strike rate of 181.
Our analysis spotlights Top 10 Best Player in IPL 2025 – from record-breaking youngsters to battle-hardened veterans. Let’s dive into the stories behind these game-changers who’ll shape this season’s title race.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best Player in IPL Set to Light Up IPL 2025: New Talents & Proven Champions
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Rajasthan Royals)
Rajasthan Royals’ crown jewel Yashasvi Jaiswal stands ready to set IPL 2025 ablaze. His journey from selling pani puri to becoming India’s most explosive opener captures cricket’s magical ability to transform lives.
Rise to Cricket Stardom
Picture this: an 11-year-old boy living in tents at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, chasing cricket dreams between selling street food. Fast forward to 2019 – the same boy becomes List A cricket’s youngest double centurion at just 17. That’s Yashasvi Jaiswal for you.
Rajasthan Royals spotted this diamond in the rough, investing ₹2.40 crore in 2020. Though his debut season brought just 40 runs in three matches, Jaiswal’s breakthrough arrived spectacularly in 2023. The numbers tell the story – 625 runs, strike rate 163.61, and that jaw-dropping 13-ball fifty against KKR, the fastest in IPL history.
The Buttler-Jaiswal Show
Want to know what keeps bowlers awake at night? The Buttler-Jaiswal partnership. This left-right duo maintains a blistering 9.51 run rate, second-best among IPL’s top opening pairs since 2022. Harsha Bhogle calls them “a fusion of fearlessness, raw talent, and sheer destructiveness”.
Eight 50+ partnerships showcase their chemistry, but it’s their off-field bond that truly sparkles. “Buttler bhai teaches me to play proper cricket shots,” reveals Jaiswal. Simple advice, spectacular results.
Last Season’s Story
IPL 2024 brought 435 runs at 155.91, including a masterful unbeaten 104 against Mumbai Indians. Jaiswal’s bat spoke loudly – 54 fours, 16 sixes. Yet the Buttler partnership hit a snag, managing just 64 runs in five innings. Even his fighting 42 off 21 in the playoff exit couldn’t save Rajasthan.
IPL 2025: The Next Chapter
Rajasthan’s ₹18 crore retention speaks volumes about their faith in Jaiswal. With T20 World Cup spots up for grabs, expect fireworks. He’s not just about power-hitting anymore – he’s “developed different ways to tackle opposition bowlers” and learned to “play the situation perfectly”.
Cricket pundits are already making bold predictions. “Nothing less than the highest run-getter of the league,” declares one expert. Given Jaiswal’s hunger for runs and three-format excellence, who’d bet against him ruling IPL 2025?
Nicholas Pooran (Lucknow Super Giants)
LSG’s ₹21 crore man “Nicky P” stands ready to light up IPL 2025! Nicholas Pooran brings explosive batting credentials to a franchise hungry for their first title.
T20 Batting Brilliance
Pooran’s IPL story reads like a masterclass in persistence. From a modest debut with Punjab Kings (168 runs, SR: 157), he blossomed into a T20 powerhouse. His breakthrough 2020 season yielded 353 runs at a stunning strike rate of 169.71, sparking a fierce bidding war that saw LSG snap him up for ₹16 crore.
The Caribbean star didn’t disappoint – 358 runs at 172.95 in 2023, followed by a spectacular 2024 campaign: 499 runs, strike rate 178.2, three half-centuries. His T20I records tell an even more impressive tale:
- 149 sixes – most in T20I career
- 53 catches – T20I record holder
- 71 innings without a duck – another world record
Middle-Order Mastery
LSG’s batting backbone delivered consistently, topping the 2024 averages with 62.38. Watch him against spin – 297 runs at 171.67 in the middle overs showcase his dominance.
“You need that gear shift from 135 to 200,” Pooran explains simply. His philosophy? “True T20 batting means starting at 140, then exploding to 200-plus when needed”.
Alongside Pant and Miller, LSG boasts “two of the best power-hitters in the game”. Three left-handers, one mission – terrorize death bowlers.
The Stoinis Connection
Remember that RCB match? Pooran’s 19-ball 62 paired perfectly with Stoinis’ 65. His 15-ball fifty complemented Stoinis’ 26-ball half-century – pure batting poetry.
Their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Team selection proved their world-class status. Pooran’s 228 runs at 146.15 showed he thrives on cricket’s biggest stages.
Death Overs Destroyer
Numbers don’t lie – 170 runs at 177.08 in the death overs (IPL 2024), career death overs strike rate: 169.6. His 36 sixes topped all overseas batters in the league stage.
“When Pooran gets going, bowlers start looking for cover”. Three sub-20 ball fifties in IPL history – most by any batter – tell you everything about his game-changing ability.
LSG’s maiden title dreams rest heavily on those powerful shoulders. Based on current form, they couldn’t ask for a better finisher.
Suryansh Shedge (Punjab Kings)
Punjab Kings just pulled off the steal of the season! At 21, Mumbai’s explosive all-rounder Suryansh Shedge arrives for a mere ₹30 lakh, ready to prove why domestic cricket’s newest sensation deserves your attention.
SMAT Trophy Heroics
Remember this name – Shedge lit up the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a mind-boggling strike rate of 251.92. Nobody who faced 20+ balls came close. Want proof? Check these match-winning knocks:
- Final vs MP: 36* off 15 balls, Mumbai’s trophy-winning punch
- Quarter-final magic: 36* off 12 balls, including a 24-run over against Vidarbha
- That Andhra chase: 30* off just 8 balls in a record 230-run pursuit
“My brain starts working only when the bowler runs in,” Shedge reveals. Simple philosophy, devastating results!
More Than Just Big Hits
Don’t label him a one-trick pony. Shedge’s medium pace grabbed 8 wickets in 9 SMAT matches, including a sharp 2/11.
“First senior T20 tournament taught me good habits,” he shares. His secret? Six-ball practice sets simulating finish-line pressure. Smart cricket, this lad!
Punjab’s Fresh Weapon
PBKS knows talent when they see it. With Mumbai mate Shreyas Iyer around and Ricky Ponting’s guidance, Shedge feels at home. “Punjab Kings always backs fresh talent, always watching domestic cricket,” he notes.
“Ponting represents that fearless Aussie spirit,” Shedge adds, clearly excited about learning from the legend.
Ready to Explode
Talk about comebacks – a spine stress fracture nearly derailed everything. But great finishers don’t quit.
“Clear mind, forget the scoreboard, watch the ball,” Shedge explains his finishing mantra. Simple words from Punjab’s newest game-changer.
IPL 2025’s biggest surprise package? At ₹30 lakh, this could be the bargain of the season!
Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indians just found their perfect Quinton de Kock replacement! South African dynamo Ryan Rickelton arrives for a bargain ₹1 crore, bringing explosive batting and safe hands behind the stumps.
From Johannesburg to Mumbai
Remember that name – born in ’96, Rickelton chose cricket over other sports, modeling his game after legends like Gilchrist and Hayden. After dominating the 2021-22 first-class season, Test cricket came calling against Bangladesh.
The numbers speak volumes – 616 Test runs at 41.06, 335 ODI runs at 37.22. Want his career highlight? A magnificent 259 against Pakistan at Newlands, shattering AB de Villiers’ record for highest Champions Trophy score by a South African keeper.
MI’s New Opening Act
Picture this: Rickelton and Rohit Sharma walking out together, ready to recreate MI’s glory days of 2019-20. Missing Ishan Kishan? This left-handed keeper-bat fits right in.
MI’s power-packed lineup looks scary: “Rohit, Rickelton (wk), SKY, Jacks, Tilak, Hardik (c), Santner”. Experience meets explosiveness – bowlers beware!
SA20 Superstar
Want proof of his MI connection? Check his MI Cape Town numbers:
- Powerplay king: 177.41 strike rate tops SA20 2024
- 530 runs smashed at 173.77 in 2024
- Another 336 runs at 178.72 in 2025
Led MI Cape Town to their first SA20 trophy too! No wonder he loves Newlands – averages 59.90 there across formats.
The New De Kock?
“Think younger, taller de Kock,” say the experts. Both left-handed South African keeper-batters who love the powerplay. Fun fact: Rickelton’s 1,012 SA20 runs trump de Kock’s 643!
But here’s the difference: “De Kock relied on wrist power, while Rickelton brings fast hands, solid hitting, and ice-cool temperament”.
At ₹1 crore, MI might have just pulled off the steal of IPL 2025. Ready to watch this South African sensation light up Wankhede?
Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK’s newest superstar arrives with golden credentials! Fresh from dominating the 2025 Champions Trophy, 25-year-old Rachin Ravindra brings world-class form to Chennai’s yellow army.
Trophy Cabinet Getting Heavy
Talk about perfect timing – Ravindra enters IPL 2025 after a spectacular Champions Trophy campaign. Golden Bat? Check. Player of the Tournament? Check. The numbers tell the story: 263 runs, four innings, average 68.75.
Back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and South Africa showed his big-match temperament. Remember his 2023 World Cup breakout? 578 runs and ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year – this Kiwi star knows how to shine on cricket’s biggest stages.
More Than Just Runs
Pure batsmen? Not this guy! Ravindra’s left-arm spin makes him twice as valuable. Chepauk’s turning tracks suit his bowling perfectly. Plus, with Bangalore-born parents, subcontinental conditions feel like home.
Finding His CSK Groove
Last season gave us glimpses – 222 runs, strike rate 160.87 in 10 matches. Should he open with captain Gaikwad or strengthen the middle order? That RCB debut – 37 off 15 balls – showed his explosive potential.
Learning from The Master
“Sharing a dressing room with MS? Insane!” Ravindra can’t hide his excitement. “His wisdom off the field? Extremely valuable”.
With Dhoni’s guidance and red-hot form, could Ravindra be CSK’s next match-winner? IPL 2025 has the answer!
Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)
KKR’s ₹23.75 crore man stands ready to defend their crown! Venkatesh Iyer’s journey from bench-warmer to franchise cornerstone captures T20 cricket’s unpredictable magic.
T20 All-Round Excellence
Numbers tell the Iyer story – 370 runs in just 10 matches, average 41.11 back in 2021. Left-handed dynamite plus medium pace equals instant success. Career stats? 1,326 runs across 51 matches, strike rate above 137, decorated with one century and 11 fifties. No wonder India came calling – 9 T20Is and 2 ODIs showcase his rapid rise.
Master of All Positions
“Middle order was my home,” admits Iyer. Yet watch him now – opener, number three, finisher – this man does it all.
“Clear mind about batting position makes everything easier,” he explains simply. Remember 2023? When captain Shreyas got injured, Venkatesh stepped up at number three without missing a beat.
More Than Just Runs
“Contributing in batting, bowling, and fielding helps me sleep peacefully,” says Iyer. His medium pace gives captain Rahane that precious extra option, bringing perfect balance to KKR’s attack.
Title Defense Commander
Vice-captain’s armband for IPL 2025? Perfect fit. Last season’s trophy run saw him smash 370 runs in 13 innings at 158.79, including four fifties. Clutch player? Ask SRH about those playoff and final half-centuries.
Price tag pressure? Please. “₹20 lakh or ₹20 crore, my job stays the same”. That’s Venkatesh Iyer for you – KKR’s million-dollar man with a thousand-rupee work ethic.
Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings)
Punjab Kings’ yorker king returns! Arshdeep Singh’s precise death bowling makes him T20 cricket’s most reliable closer. PBKS knew what they had – that’s why he was one of just two players retained before the 2022 auction.
Death Over Specialist
Watch Arshdeep at the death – those yorkers sing! His secret? “Keep things simple, fulfill team needs”. No fancy philosophy needed.
“Death bowling has good days and bad days. Stay level-headed”, he explains. Smart cricket – reading pitches, studying batsmen, adapting plans. That’s the Arshdeep way.
New Weapons Added
Think he’s just a death specialist? Think again. “Started bowling with new ball on slow wickets”, he reveals. That new leg-cutter? Left-handers’ nightmare.
Credit goes to his early mentors too. Mohammed Shami taught him the secrets – “seam position” and “mental strength” under pressure.
Team Leader at 24
“Rallies everyone, takes responsibility, guides other bowlers” – that’s how former captain Mayank Agarwal describes him. Teammates call him “energetic” and “confident”.
Pressure? What pressure? Being “stress-free” makes him Punjab’s perfect bowling leader.
International Class
Numbers speak loud – 89 wickets in 58 T20Is, average around 18. Learning from the best helps – like Bumrah “creating pressure at the other end”.
His mantra stays simple: “Plans change with conditions, wickets, situations”. No wonder he’s among IPL 2025’s most valuable assets.
Abhishek Sharma (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
SRH’s ₹14 crore investment speaks volumes. Want to know why? Abhishek Sharma has evolved from promising talent to IPL’s most explosive opener, forming a lethal partnership with Travis Head.
Power-Hitting Revolution
Remember that 17-year-old Delhi Daredevils signed in 2018? Look at him now – 484 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 204.22 in IPL 2024. His striking prowess first emerged during Punjab’s maiden SMAT victory – 485 runs, strike rate above 180.
Need more proof? That 28-ball hundred in SMAT matched India’s fastest T20 century record. Here’s the scary part – 71.26% of his runs come from boundaries. Pure destruction.
Head-Sharma: SRH’s Dynamic Duo
What happens when you pair two fearless openers? Records shatter:
- First pair with two 100+ powerplay partnerships in IPL history
- Demolished DC with highest powerplay score ever: 125/0
- LSG felt the heat: 167 runs in just 9.4 overs
“Off-field conversations improve our chemistry,” reveals Abhishek. Left-right combination, matching mindsets – bowlers’ nightmare material.
Spinning a Different Tale
Don’t forget his left-arm spin – 134 T20 overs, economy just over seven, 11 IPL wickets in 63 matches. Best figures? 2/24. Not bad for a part-timer.
Cricket analysts note: “Sixth bowling option adds another dimension”. That “backspinning legcutter”? Pure gold for SRH’s tactical flexibility.
Powerplay Master Class
“Brain starts working when bowler runs in,” Abhishek explains simply. Results? Spectacular:
- Powered India to highest T20I powerplay score (95) vs England
- Blasted 17-ball fifty – India’s second-fastest
- Led SRH to fastest 150 in T20 history: just 8.2 overs
Yuzvendra Chahal (Rajasthan Royals)
Punjab Kings’ new chess master arrives! After mastering his craft at Rajasthan Royals, Yuzvendra Chahal joins PBKS for ₹18 crore, ready to weave his magic on new hunting grounds.
Record-Breaking Spinner
Want to know what makes Chahal special? Try 200 IPL wickets in just 153 matches, average 21.6, economy 7.73. First bowler to reach this milestone. Beyond IPL? The only Indian with 350+ T20 wickets.
Flat track? No problem. Partnership building? He’ll break it. That’s why franchises chase his signature.
Middle Overs Maestro
Numbers tell the story – 152 wickets between overs 7-16, more than any other bowler. Strike rate? 17.30, only Rabada and Bumrah do better (30+ wickets club).
Watch him work – variations flying, batsmen guessing, game momentum shifting. Pure art.
The Ashwin Connection
Remember that RR spell with Ashwin? 429 runs in the match, yet their combined figures read 8-0-60-3. Perfect partnership – Ashwin holding one end, Chahal hunting wickets.
Master of All Conditions
What’s in his bag of tricks? Leg-spin, two different googlies, plus that sneaky flipper. Spin-friendly track or flat deck – he’s got plans for both.
Best part? Knows exactly when to attack, when to contain. That’s not just bowling – that’s chess on a cricket field.
Liam Livingstone (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
RCB’s ₹8.75 crore power-hitter arrives! Liam Livingstone brings his explosive batting and crafty bowling to Bengaluru’s hunt for their first IPL trophy.
Six-Hitting Machine
Want jaw-dropping numbers? 404 sixes in 291 T20 matches. IPL special? 66 maximums in just 39 games.
Greatest hits include:
- That monster 117m six off Shami in IPL 2022
- Balls disappearing out of stadiums
- England’s fastest T20I fifty – just 17 balls
Death Overs Specialist
Career strike rate 144.44? Watch it soar in the final overs. Fresh proof? That 15-ball fifty in Abu Dhabi T-10 shows he’s ready for IPL 2025.
More Than Just Big Hits
“Part-timer? No way. He’s an allrounder,” declares Eoin Morgan. Both leg-spin and off-spin in his arsenal, backed by 126 T20 wickets plus 11 in IPL.
RCB’s Perfect Fit
Kohli, Patidar, right-handers galore – then comes Livingstone. Pace bowling? Strike rate 200 tells the story. Partner him with Tim David, death overs strike rate crosses 200.
Mission for IPL 2025? Simple. Demolish pace attacks, bowl crucial spin overs, bring that trophy home to Bengaluru.
Player Comparison: IPL 2025’s Game-Changers
Here’s your complete guide to the season’s most impactful players:
| Player | Team | Role | Recent Brilliance | X-Factor | Price Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rajasthan Royals | Opening Bat | 435 runs, SR 155.91 (15 innings) | 13-ball fifty record | ₹18 crore |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | Middle-Order | 499 runs, SR 178.2 (14 matches) | Death overs master | ₹21 crore |
| Suryansh Shedge | Punjab Kings | All-rounder | SMAT SR 251.92, 8 wickets | Raw talent steal | ₹30 lakh |
| Ryan Rickelton | Mumbai Indians | Keeper-Bat | SA20: 530 runs, SR 173.77 | Complete package | ₹1 crore |
| Rachin Ravindra | CSK | All-rounder | 222 runs, SR 160.87 (10 matches) | Spin bonus | TBA |
| Venkatesh Iyer | KKR | All-rounder | 370 runs, SR 158.79 (13 innings) | Batting chameleon | ₹23.75 crore |
| Arshdeep Singh | Punjab Kings | Fast Bowler | T20I: 89 wickets in 58 matches | Yorker king | TBA |
| Abhishek Sharma | SRH | Opener | IPL 2024: 484 runs, SR 204.22 | Power-hitting plus spin | ₹14 crore |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Punjab Kings | Spinner | 200+ wickets in 153 IPL matches | Middle-overs magic | ₹18 crore |
| Liam Livingstone | RCB | All-rounder | 66 sixes in 39 IPL matches | Six-hitting machine | ₹8.75 crore |
Stats that matter, prices that raised eyebrows, and skills that win matches – all in one place. Which of these game-changers will define IPL 2025?
The Verdict: IPL 2025’s Perfect Storm
Ready for cricket’s most explosive season yet? IPL 2025 brings together established superstars and hungry young talents in a perfect cricket cocktail.
The price tags tell half the story – ₹21 crore for Pooran, ₹23.75 crore for Venkatesh Iyer. But what about that ₹30 lakh bargain named Suryansh Shedge? Smart money watches both ends of the spectrum.
Power hitting? We’re spoiled for choice! Jaiswal’s fearless opening salvos, Abhishek-Head’s record-breaking partnerships, Livingstone’s stadium-clearing sixes. When the death overs arrive, Arshdeep’s yorkers and Pooran’s finishing flourishes promise pure cricket theatre.
But here’s what makes IPL 2025 special – versatility rules the roost. Watch Ravindra switch from elegant batting to crafty left-arm spin. Marvel at Rickelton’s keeping-batting double act. See how Chahal’s middle-overs mastery changes entire matches.
These ten cricketers aren’t just players – they’re game-changers, history-makers, future-shapers. Some will lift the trophy, all will entertain. Which ones will write their names into IPL legend?
The stage is set. Let the games begin!
Read more: Top 10 Rising IPL 2025 Emerging Players Who Could Be Future Stars
FAQs
Who are some of the most expensive players in IPL 2025?
Some of the most expensive players for IPL 2025 include Nicholas Pooran (₹21 crore), Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 crore), and Yuzvendra Chahal (₹18 crore). These high-value retentions and acquisitions reflect the players’ impact and importance to their franchises.
What new talent is expected to make an impact in IPL 2025?
Emerging talents like Suryansh Shedge of Punjab Kings and Ryan Rickelton of Mumbai Indians are poised to make significant impacts. Shedge’s explosive batting and useful medium-pace bowling, along with Rickelton’s aggressive opening and wicketkeeping skills, make them exciting prospects to watch.
How are all-rounders shaping team strategies for IPL 2025?
All-rounders like Rachin Ravindra, Liam Livingstone, and Venkatesh Iyer are becoming increasingly valuable due to their versatility. Their ability to contribute with both bat and ball provides teams with tactical flexibility and balance, making them crucial to team strategies.
Which players are considered the best finishers for IPL 2025?
Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants and Liam Livingstone of Royal Challengers Bengaluru are regarded as two of the best finishers. Their ability to score quickly in the death overs and clear boundaries consistently makes them invaluable assets to their teams.
What role do specialist bowlers play in IPL 2025?
Specialist bowlers like Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh remain crucial in IPL 2025. Chahal’s expertise in controlling the middle overs and Arshdeep’s death bowling skills demonstrate how specialized bowling talents can significantly impact match outcomes, especially in high-scoring T20 contests.
