The IPL 2025 auction saw franchises make strategic picks, strengthening key areas with impactful signings. Teams like Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and Rajasthan Royals bolstered their squads with top players, addressing weaknesses while retaining core players for a balanced lineup.
Chennai Super Kings – 9/10
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 auction, retaining key players and adding 20 new talents, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad. Their strong top order, led by Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, and a versatile spin attack are key strengths. However, concerns about MS Dhoni’s finishing role and inconsistent performances from Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar remain.
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 focused on balancing experience and new talent in the IPL 2025 auction. Retaining key players like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, they added players like Will Jacks, Trent Boult, and Deepak Chahar. MI’s strengths include a strong opening partnership, explosive middle-order, and a potent pace attack. Concerns remain over depth and inexperience among some overseas players, with Hardik Pandya’s leadership crucial for the team’s success.
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) made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 mega auction, retaining core players like Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Their 22-player squad includes key signings such as Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma, and Liam Livingstone. RCB’s strengths include a solid opening duo, strong pace attack, and versatile spin all-rounders. However, concerns persist over No. 3 batting depth and death bowling. Virat Kohli is expected to lead, with Rajat Patidar as 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, and Varun Chakravarthy, while strengthening their squad in the IPL 2025 auction with 15 new signings, including Venkatesh Iyer and Anrich Nortje. KKR’s strengths lie in their batting depth and spin department, while challenges include Nortje’s form, limited Indian pacers, and inconsistent performances from senior players. Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer are top contenders for the captaincy.
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 a splash in the IPL 2025 auction with the acquisition of Rishabh Pant for INR 27 crores. Retaining key players like Nicholas Pooran and Ravi Bishnoi, LSG faces challenges in squad depth. With a mix of power-hitters like Mitchell Marsh and David Miller, Pant’s leadership will be crucial to address concerns over injuries and the lack of quality reinforcements.
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, forming a strong 25-member squad by retaining Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, and acquiring 23 new players. Shreyas Iyer was their marquee signing, alongside Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, and Marco Jansen. PBKS boasts a versatile bowling attack, but concerns over top-order left-handed batters and Glenn Maxwell’s role at No. 6 remain. Iyer is expected to lead the team.
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 key players like Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. They added marquee signings KL Rahul and Mitchell Starc, along with Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Brook, and Mukesh Kumar. DC’s strengths include a powerful batting lineup, a versatile spin duo, and reliable bowling options. However, concerns remain over limited left-handed batters and a lack of a middle-over enforcer. KL Rahul is set to lead the team.
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, focusing on reinforcing their squad. Retaining key players like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shimron Hetmyer, RR strengthened their bowling unit with Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga. While their top-order batting and spin attack are strong, the team lacks depth in batting and all-rounders. Archer’s fitness is a concern, and the squad’s limited size could create selection challenges.
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, and Rahul Tewatia, while adding impactful signings such as Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, and Kagiso Rabada. Their squad is well-rounded, with strengths in both bowling and batting. The pace attack, led by Rabada and Siraj, and a strong spin unit, led by Rashid, stand out. However, concerns include their domestic batting depth and the balancing of the overseas spots.
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 strategic moves in the IPL 2025 auction, retaining key players like Pat Cummins, Heinrich Klaasen, and Abhishek Sharma. They added impactful signings like Ishan Kishan and Mohammed Shami to strengthen their squad. SRH’s strengths include an explosive batting lineup and a formidable pace attack, along with a strong spin department led by Adam Zampa. However, concerns over Kishan and Reddy’s vulnerability to pace and the balance of their spin and pace attack remain.
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.