IPL 2025: Highlights from an Action-Packed Week

As the Indian Premier League 2025 rolls into full swing, the past week has been a rollercoaster of intense matches, incredible individual performances, and evolving team dynamics. Here's a round-up of all the key moments that had fans buzzing.

Rising Stars and Standout Performances

Digvesh Rathi’s Bowling Breakthrough

Lucknow Super Giants’ young spinner Digvesh Rathi stole the spotlight with a mesmerizing spell against Mumbai Indians. Not only did he clinch the 'Player of the Match' award for the first time, but he also kept the Mumbai batsmen under wraps, conceding just 21 runs and dismissing the dangerous Naman Dhir. His performance was pivotal in Lucknow’s narrow 12-run victory, and his obsession with perfecting his bowling craft is clearly paying off.

Jos Buttler Finds His Freedom

After stepping down from England’s white-ball captaincy, Jos Buttler appears to be enjoying a new lease on life in the IPL. Representing Gujarat Titans, Buttler has quickly become one of the season’s top scorers. With two half-centuries in just three games, including a blistering 73* off 39 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he is showing signs of a major comeback — playing with both freedom and purpose.

Mitchell Starc’s Five-Star Show

Delhi Capitals’ ace pacer Mitchell Starc unleashed his best with a fiery five-wicket haul that dismantled Sunrisers Hyderabad. In a match-winning performance, he removed key batsmen including Ishan Kishan and Travis Head, leading Delhi to a comfortable seven-wicket win. The veteran speedster showed once again why he’s among the world’s elite.

Leadership Moves and Tactical Insights

Hardik Pandya Urges Batting Line-up to Step Up

Mumbai Indians have stumbled in their early matches, and captain Hardik Pandya isn’t mincing words. Following subpar batting displays in defeats to Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, Pandya has openly called on his top-order batsmen to shoulder more responsibility. With scores of just 155 and 160 in those outings, the pressure is mounting on Mumbai’s powerhouse batting unit to deliver.

MS Dhoni’s Role Evolves

Chennai Super Kings' iconic leader MS Dhoni has been batting lower down the order this season, prompting speculation among fans. Head coach Stephen Fleming addressed the change, explaining that Dhoni is managing his workload post-knee surgery. Despite limited time at the crease, Dhoni continues to offer invaluable leadership and sharp wicket-keeping — a steadying presence in the CSK lineup.

Key Match Recaps

Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

In a clinical display, Gujarat Titans secured an eight-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Mohammed Siraj shone with the ball, taking three wickets, while Jos Buttler anchored the chase with an unbeaten 73, finishing the job with more than two overs to spare.

Punjab Kings vs Gujarat Titans

Punjab Kings continued their strong start with an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans, thanks to a commanding 97* from captain Shreyas Iyer. The innings, laced with class and aggression, powered Punjab to their second-highest total of the season and showcased Iyer’s leadership from the front.

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Team-Wise Fixture Breakdown

IPL 2025 FAQs – Everything You Need to Know!

When does IPL 2025 start and when is the final?

👉 IPL 2025 is set to begin on March 22, 2025, with an exciting opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The final is scheduled for May 26, 2025, though the venue is yet to be confirmed.

Thirteen cities? This means some teams have more than one home venue, right?

✅ Yes! For IPL 2025, the tournament will be played across 13 cities, meaning some teams will have multiple home venues. This is aimed at increasing fan engagement across different regions and bringing IPL action to more stadiums.

So no changes in format?

🔄 No major changes in the format. The tournament will follow the usual 10-team format, with a group stage followed by playoffs. However, some tweaks in scheduling and match timings might be introduced.

What are the match timings?

📅 As per tradition:

• Day matches start at 3:30 PM IST
• Evening matches start at 7:30 PM IST

Is there anything new in IPL 2025?

🚀 IPL 2025 brings:

• A few rule changes (to be confirmed soon)
• New venues added to the roster
• Some big-name players making their IPL debuts
• Potentially impact player tweaks

What about the support staff?

👥 Many franchises have revamped their coaching staff. For instance:

• Mumbai Indians have Mark Boucher as head coach.
• Chennai Super Kings continue with Stephen Fleming.
• Lucknow Super Giants appointed Justin Langer as head coach.
  Expect new additions in various teams’ backroom staff!

How could CSK retain MS Dhoni for just INR 4 crore (USD 0.48 million approx.)?

🟡 MS Dhoni’s retention for INR 4 crore follows IPL’s retention rules, where teams can negotiate contracts. Given his stature, Dhoni likely took a pay cut to allow CSK to build a strong squad.

Any other new rules?

⚖️ Some expected tweaks:

• Possible adjustments to the Impact Player rule
• Over-rate penalties might get stricter
• Umpire decision reviews could see more refinements

(Official rules will be confirmed before the season starts!)

Are any big names missing from action?

❌ Yes! Some players have withdrawn due to injuries or personal reasons:

• Jasprit Bumrah (likely to miss early matches)
• Harry Brook (pulled out for the second year in a row)
• A few more stars might withdraw closer to the season

Where can I watch IPL 2025 live?

📺 Broadcast & Streaming:

• India: Star Sports (TV) & JioCinema (Live Streaming)
• USA: Willow TV
• UK: Sky Sports
• Australia: Fox Sports & Kayo Sports
• Middle East: BeIN Sports

And will this be Dhoni's last IPL?

🤔 The million-dollar question! MS Dhoni has not officially announced his retirement, but IPL 2025 could be his final season. He may take a mentorship role post-retirement, keeping him involved with CSK.

Who won the most IPL titles?

🏆 Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are tied for the most IPL titles, with 5 championships each:

• Mumbai Indians (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020)
• Chennai Super Kings (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023)

CSK is the defending champion after winning IPL 2023.

What is the saliva rule in IPL?

🚫 The use of saliva to shine the ball is banned in IPL and all international cricket matches. This rule was introduced due to COVID-19 concerns and later made permanent to maintain hygiene and fairness in the game. Bowlers can still use sweat to shine the ball.

Who is the IPL King player?

👑 The title of "King of IPL" is often given to Virat Kohli, as he is the:

• Highest run-scorer in IPL history
• Only player to score 6000+ runs in the tournament
• Most consistent performer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Other contenders for this title include MS Dhoni (for captaincy success) and Rohit Sharma (for most IPL trophies as captain).

Who is No. 1 run-scorer in IPL?

🏏 Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in IPL history.

• Total Runs: 7,000+ (as of 2024)
• Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
• Best Season: 973 runs in IPL 2016 (record for most runs in a single season)

He is followed by Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in the all-time run-scoring charts.

📌 Stay tuned for IPL 2025 updates! 🚀

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