The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back with its 18th season, and fans are excited to see their favorite teams fight for the trophy. The tournament starts on March 22, 2025, and ends on May 25, 2025, with the final match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All eyes are on the 10 teams competing for the title. In this guide, Lotus365 brings you information about the teams that are likely to be the favorites in IPL 2025. We will look at their strengths, key players, and why they could be the ones to watch this season.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings, or CSK, are one of the most successful teams in IPL history. They have won the title five times, which is the same as Mumbai Indians. Led by the young and talented Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK has a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters. The team is known for performing well under pressure, and they have a large group of loyal fans who support them no matter what.
Before the season started, CSK kept their main players, which is a big advantage. Players like Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Deepak Chahar have a lot of experience. CSK also won their first match against Mumbai Indians, which shows they are in good form. The team is strong in batting and has good spin bowlers, which is important on Indian pitches.
CSK’s plan has always been to keep a core group of players and trust them. This has worked well for them in the past. Even if MS Dhoni is not playing, he might still help the team with his experience. CSK is also good at finding and developing young talent, like Ruturaj Gaikwad himself.
However, CSK needs to be careful with their players’ fitness because the tournament is long. If key players get injured, it could be a problem, but CSK has backup players who can step up. Overall, CSK looks ready to try for their sixth title.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians, or MI, are another team with a great history in the IPL. They have also won five titles. The team is led by Hardik Pandya, who came back to MI after playing for Gujarat Titans. MI has a mix of star players and young talents. Some people think MI has a low chance of winning this year, but the team has a habit of proving doubters wrong.
In the player auction, MI made some smart purchases to make their team stronger. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan are very important for the team. MI is good at both batting and bowling. They have fast bowlers who can trouble any team, and their batsmen can chase big scores.
MI is also known for finding new players who become stars. They focus a lot on fitness and use data to make better decisions. With Hardik Pandya back, his skills with both bat and ball will be very important for MI’s success.
But MI needs to make sure they play well throughout the season. Sometimes, they have ups and downs in their performance. Handling pressure in important matches will be key. With a captain like Hardik Pandya, who has already led a team to an IPL title, MI has good leadership. Fans will hope that MI can win another trophy.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad, or SRH, have been a steady team in the IPL. They won the title in 2016 and have reached the playoffs many times. The team is led by Pat Cummins, who is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. SRH kept their main players before the season, which means they have a strong group.
SRH is known for its bowling, especially its fast bowlers. With Pat Cummins leading the attack, they can make it hard for any team to score runs. In batting, players like Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram can score quickly and provide stability.
SRH won their first match in IPL 2025, which is a good sign. However, they need to make sure their batsmen score enough runs because sometimes they depend too much on their bowlers. If they can find the right balance between batting and bowling, SRH could be a strong team this season.
Pat Cummins is also a good leader, having captained Australia in international cricket. This could give SRH an edge in planning and strategy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, or RCB, have always had a large and passionate fan base. Even though they have not won the IPL title yet, they have come close many times. The team is led by Rajat Patidar and has a good mix of experienced and young players. RCB kept some key players and made smart buys in the auction.
RCB is strong in batting, with players like Virat Kohli, who has scored the most runs in IPL history. They also have good bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Josh Hazlewood. RCB won their first match against the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, which shows they are starting well.
The team’s management has worked hard to build a strong support system, including coaches and analysts, to help the players perform better. Virat Kohli’s passion and hard work inspire the whole team.
But RCB needs to overcome their past problems of not performing well in important matches. They must play consistently throughout the season and make sure their main players do well when it matters most. With their fans cheering them on, RCB will hope that 2025 is the year they finally win the title.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders, or KKR, are the defending champions after winning the IPL in 2024. The team is led by Ajinkya Rahane, who has a lot of experience. KKR has a balanced squad with aggressive batsmen and quality bowlers, which helped them win last year.
Even if they had a slow start in IPL 2025, KKR knows how to come back strong. Players like Shreyas Iyer, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine can change the game on their own. KKR’s strength is their ability to work as a team, with different players contributing at different times.
Defending a title is always tough, and KKR needs to stay focused throughout the tournament. They must avoid becoming overconfident and handle the pressure of being the champions. With Ajinkya Rahane as captain, who has led India to a famous Test series win in Australia, KKR has a calm and experienced leader.
If KKR can play like they did last year, they have a good chance of winning again.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Lucknow Super Giants, or LSG, are a new team in the IPL, having joined in 2022. But they have quickly become a team to watch. They made a big move by buying Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore. Pant is known for his aggressive batting and wicket-keeping, which makes him a valuable player.
LSG has a good mix of experienced players and young talent. With Pant leading the team, they have the potential to surprise everyone. In the past seasons, LSG has shown that they can compete with the best teams.
As a new team, they might not have as much experience in handling pressure situations, but with Pant’s leadership and support from senior players, they can overcome this. Pant’s ability to change the game quickly makes LSG a team that others will be careful of.
LSG could be the surprise team of IPL 2025 and might go far in the tournament.
Conclusion
In summary, IPL 2025 is going to be an exciting season with many teams fighting for the title. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have a lot of experience and strong squads, making them top favorites. Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have started well and could challenge the big teams. Kolkata Knight Riders, as the defending champions, are always a threat, and Lucknow Super Giants, with their new players, could surprise everyone.
As the tournament goes on, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top. Cricket fans can look forward to close matches, great performances, and a lot of excitement. Stay connected with Lotus365 for all the latest updates and information on IPL 2025.