IPL 2025: Players who are nightmare for opposition

IPL 2025: Players who are a nightmare for the opposition (Photo Source – RCB/Twitter)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a tournament where talent meets opportunity, and every season, some players dominate with their performances, making life difficult for their opponents. These are the players who, with their consistency and ability to turn games around, become a nightmare for the opposition. Whether it’s with the bat, ball, or in the field, they bring an atmosphere that disturbs teams even before the game begins.

During the IPL 2025 mega auction, teams went all out for spending big on players who can single-handedly decide the outcome of matches. Some players are known for excelling under pressure, delivering clutch performances when it matters most. These individuals can take the game away in a matter of overs, urging opposition captains to rethink strategies. With the 18th season around the corner, some players could step up again and get the job done for their team.

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Here are players who will be nightmares for opposition in IPL 2025:

10. Punjab Kings – Yuzvendra Chahal:

Punjab Kings (PBKS) strengthened their bowling attack by securing Yuzvendra Chahal for a whopping INR 18 crore in the mega-auction. The veteran leg-spinner, released by Rajasthan Royals, is now set to lead PBKS’ spin attack in the upcoming season. With 205 IPL scalps to his name, he is the highest wicket-taker in tournament history, Chahal will be a key player for his new franchise.

Despite not being part of India’s white-ball setup, the 34-year-old is a match-winner. His abilities to take wickets at venues with large or small outfields, like Mohali and Bengaluru, make him a perfect fit for PBKS. While he may lack a quality spin partner, the franchise has a strong pace lineup with Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, and Arshdeep Singh. The opposition teams will need to plan thoroughly against the leg spinner. In the last three seasons, he has picked 57 wickets and will be eager to increase his tally.

9. Delhi Capitals – Mitchell Starc:

Australian star speedster Mitchell Starc is once again set to torture IPL batters, and this time, he will be donning the Delhi Capitals jersey. After a mixed start in IPL 2024, Starc had brilliant performances in the knockout stages, delivering match-winning spells that guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their third title. Despite his heroics, KKR released him, and DC wasted no time in acquiring the veteran, for INR 11.75 crore.

With his pace, swing, and yorkers, Starc is a nightmare for the opposition teams. Fresh from an injury layoff, he’s fully fit and prepared to lead DC’s pace attack. His ability to dismantle top-order batters and break partnerships will haunt opposition batters. In the previous season, the left-armer picked 17 wickets including 3/34 and and 2/14 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifiers and Final, respectively.

8. Lucknow Super Giants – Nicholas Pooran:

West Indian wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran is set to be a major headache for opposition bowlers in IPL 2025. Retained by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a whopping INR 21 crore, Pooran was an automatic choice for the franchise. His batting, especially in the middle and death overs, makes him one of the most feared hitters in the tournament. The southpaw’s ability to accelerate against both pace and spin puts bowlers under immense pressure.

In the previous season, he scored 499 runs at a strike rate of 178.21. Over the last year, Pooran has been playing in leagues all over the world and scoring runs consistently. With the Lucknow-based franchise hunting for their maiden IPL title, his form will be crucial. With Rishabh Pant also in LSG’s lineup, the team consists of two of the most explosive left-handed batters in the game.

7. Gujarat Titans – Rashid Khan:

Rashid Khan will once again be Gujarat Titans’ biggest weapon in the upcoming season. Despite a dip in form last season, where he managed only 10 wickets in 12 games, the Afghan star is ready to bounce back. Retained for INR 18 crore, Rashid is the highest wicket-taker in T20 history, recently surpassing Dwayne Bravo. His economy rate of under seven runs per over makes him a challenge for batters.

GT struggled in the middle overs last season, but Rashid’s return to form could change that. His ability to break partnerships and bowl tight spells will be crucial. On slower tracks, his variations make him even harder to pick. Not just with the ball, Rashid can be a game-changer with the bat too. His ability to contribute with the bat in the lower order has won matches in the past, and he could be a reliable finisher.

6. Rajasthan Royals – Yashasvi Jaiswal:

One of India’s most promising young batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal, with his explosive performances makes him a serious threat to bowlers in IPL 2025. The Rajasthan Royals opener has already played 53 matches for the franchise, smashing nine fifties and two centuries. His ability to dominate bowling attacks is best known from his record-breaking 13-ball half-century against KKR in 2023, the fastest in IPL history.

The opener was retained by the Royals for INR 18 crore ahead of the mega-auction. Jaiswal’s timing and aggressive intent make him a nightmare for opposition teams. With more international experience under his belt, the southpaw will be more confident in showcasing his abilities. Bein considered India’s next big superstar, Jaiswal will be hoping to have another great season and help the Rajasthan-based in lifting the title.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad – Travis Head

Australia’s Travis Head has made himself one of the most destructive batters in world cricket currently. His ability to take down bowling attacks in the powerplay makes him a major threat in IPL 2025. Retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 14 crore, Head will par up with Abhishek Sharma to form a deadly opening pair.

Last season, the duo took SRH to the final with their explosive starts. Head alone scored 567 runs at a strike rate of 191.55, including a century and four fifties. Despite a quiet Champions Trophy campaign, his abilities cannot be questioned. SRH will once again bank on his aggressive intent to make the most of the powerplay. If he fires in even half of the games, the opposition will struggle to contain Hyderabad.

4. Royal Challengers Bengaluru –  Virat Kohli

Batting maestro Virat Kohli is once again ready to terrorize bowlers in the 18th edition of the cash-rich league. Fresh off a brilliant Champions Trophy campaign where he played a crucial role in India’s win, Kohli enters the season in red-hot form. He was India’s second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, smashing a century against Pakistan and an 84 in the semifinal against Australia.

As IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer with 8,004 runs, Kohli will be RCB’s backbone. He won the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, scoring 741 runs at a staggering average of 61.75. Post the IPL, he featured in the T20 World Cup and played a match-winning knock against South Africa in the summit clash. However post the title win, Kohli announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game. With RCB still chasing their maiden title, Kohli’s hunger for it will be more than ever. Under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, the Delhi-born will be hoping to give the team solid starts.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders –  Varun Chakaravarthy

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has reinvented himself, and the results are for everyone to see. Once overlooked after India’s T20 World Cup 2021 loss, the spinner has made a stunning comeback. His recent exploits in the Champions Trophy 2025, where he bagged nine wickets in just three games, played a huge role in India winning the title.

His transformation began in IPL 2024, where he picked up 21 wickets in 15 matches for KKR. His variations, including the deceptive googly, the skiddy flipper, and the sharp turners have troubled even the best in the business. After the previous edition of IPL, the Tamil Nadu-born played 12 T20Is and picked 31 wickets. Retained for INR 12 crore, Chakravarthy will be Kolkata’s biggest weapon in IPL 2025.

2. Mumbai Indians – Jasprit Bumrah

India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is working towards making a strong comeback in IPL 2025, and opposition batters have every reason to be worried. Despite missing the first few games due to a back injury, Bumrah is expected to return in April, ready to help Mumbai Indians to end their title drought. Ahead of the mega-auction he was retained by the franchise for INR 18 crore.

In IPL 2024, he bagged 20 wickets in 13 matches with an economy of 6.48 and a strike rate of 15.55. A month later he also was the Player of the tournament in the title winning T20 World Cup 2024 with 15 wickets. Bumrah later that year grabbed attention for his performances in the Australia tour by picking 32 wickets across five Tests and won the Player of the Series, despite India losing the fixture by a 3-1 margin. He suffered a back injury in the final Test and is currently in NCA for his rehabilitation.

1. Chennai Super Kings – MS Dhoni

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is back for the upcoming season for IPL. The Chennai Super Kings legend is at the twilight of his career, but he’s still the ultimate game-changer in IPL 2025. The five-time IPL-winning captain started training early and is looking fit and ready.

Despite knee surgery before IPL 2024, Dhoni had brilliant numbers having played lower-down the order, smashing 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.54. His small cameos proved to be the difference maker in the end. Retained for INR 4 crore, the Ranchi-born is expected to play his last season and will hope to make it count.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

 

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