Rishabh Pant Named Lucknow Super Giants Captain for IPL 2025

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) announced on January 20, by their owner, Sanjiv Goenka, that Rishabh Pant is going to be their captain for the IPL in 2025. A 27 year old individual has previously shown his skills as a leader with the Delhi Capitals during the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons. Now, it is his turn to lead LSG, making him the fourth captain after KL Rahul, Krunal Pandya, and Nicholas Pooran.

Pant's got a history of 43 matches as captain with the Capitals, winning 24 of them. Even though he's not in India's T20 team today, his amazing performance in the 2024 IPL obtaining 446 runs with an good strike rate of 155.40 definitely grasped LSG's attention. In great contrast to not being in the T20 mix for India, Pant was chosen by LSG for a strikingly large Rs 27 crore during the IPL 2025 player mega auction that's a major cash showing they're placing a lot of trust in him. Goenka was very positive, saying the team's strategy centered around Pant, believing in time Pant will prove to be a top notch pick, both pricy and skilled in the IPL . Pant himself seemed very glad about being chosen captain. Mr. Pant was very grateful for the kind words and was excited to get started with the team. It seems the conversations with the team have been solid, making him feel right at home.

The group Pant's leading isn't short of experienced players either. People like Aiden Markram from South Africa and Mitchell Marsh from Australia, plus weighty hitters Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Ayush Badoni are all part of the mix. With this crew, Pant is in a good spot to make a major impact in the game, supported by a solid team with plenty of leadership knowledge.

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🚨 𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 🚨

Lucknow Super Giants have named Rishabh Pant as their new captain! 🧢

Pant shattered records in the IPL 2025 mega-auction with a staggering ₹27 CR bid, making him the most expensive player in IPL history 💰

Can the dynamic Indian keeper-batter guide LSG… pic.twitter.com/pEvvfff9Rj

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) January 20, 2025

Here, in this state of affairs, fully, with Pant at the helm for LSG, and surrounded by a strong team, it's going to be exciting to see how the 2025 IPL season unfolds for them. LSG became added as one of the new teams in the IPL in 2022, and they've actually been doing quite good, getting to the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023. Even though they've got some top rate players in their starting team, some fans are worried they might not have enough good players sitting on the bench.

But, with a person like Pant leading the team, and several impressive players ready to go, LSG is all set on fixing what didn't work before and trying very hard to win their first IPL trophy in 2025. Pant is not only simply about being the head of the team and his batting is something else and might (simply) be what LSG needs to finally get ahead. After coming back from a nasty car crash in December 2022, he's been playing amazingly in the 2024 IPL, showing everyone he's still got it, and might even get back into playing for the country again. A careful examination reveals that having Pant in charge is a major move for the Lucknow Super Giants because they're looking to be unstoppable with him as their top notch and aggressive captain in 2025 throughout the season.

Mumbai Indians (MI) will be eager to demonstrate their top-notch worth following some disappointing seasons in the Indian Premier League. Hardik Pandya, who struggled as captain in the IPL 2024, now has his hands full. To get this team moving, he needs to lead from the front. Before the IPL 2025 mega auction, MI retained five players: Hardik, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.

So, half of the team was already established since they had the best and most dependable Indian core across all departments. MI has a large team to work with, and one hopes they do well this time around. This franchise also has a winning lineage and invests fanatics to look out for their performance in the tournament. That said, here are the strengths and weakness of the five-time champions, Mumbai Indians 2025 lineup.

Mumbai Indians 2025 IPL Squad: Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Naman Dhir, Will Jacks, Allah Ghazanfar, Mitchell Santner, Ryan Rickelton, Reece Topley, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Bevon Jacobs, Ashwani Kumar, Krishnan Shrijith, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.

2 Strengths:

A versatile pace-attack

Mumbai Indians have already kept Jasprit Bumrah before the auction, and they have now added Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar to their roster. These three bowlers can swing the new ball, especially given the advantageous swing conditions of the stadium by the Marine Drive.

Bumrah and Boult were adept at bowling in the final overs, delivering the four overs assured and promised. However, with Boult, Chahar, and Hardik Pandya, Mumbai's pace lineup for the forthcoming season has improved significantly. To sum it up as a whole, Mumbai Indians currently possess the best pace bowling attack amongst all the sides for the upcoming 2025 edition. 

The perfect and robust batting core

The Mumbai Indians have a dream batting lineup, mainly owing to their strong domestic campaigners' foundation. MI's powerful Indian batting trio, which includes Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav, is undoubtedly one of the finest in the game. In terms of pure talent and match-winning qualities, no other club comes close, and that is the Mumbai Indians' greatest strength.

Rohit's aggressive style at the top, paired with Suryakumar and Tilak Varma's middle-order exploits, will be advantageous in the games. In addition, they have the in-form English power-hitter Will Jacks, developing Proteas batter Ryan Rickelton, and wicketkeeper batter Robin Minz to assist in reinforcing the top and middle orders.

1 Weakness:

The usual business of lacking a strong spinner

One of the Mumbai Indians' principal vulnerabilities going into IPL 2025 is a lack of good spin options. While they have signed overseas spinners like Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar, Santner has had few opportunities in the IPL thus far, while Ghazanfar is fresh to the tournament.

This means MI will be highly reliant on the overseas spinners. Karn Sharma is the sole Indian spinner in the team, although he is expected to sit on the bench. With no other Indian spin options available, Mumbai may struggle, especially on spin-friendly pitches, making this a source of concern for the franchise.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) have made a bold approach to end their lengthy wait for their first title by assembling a well-balanced roster under new head coach Ricky Ponting. With the biggest purse of INR 110.5 Crores in the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, PBKS made numerous high-profile, costly and tactical deals. Keeping important players like Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh, the franchise has addressed vital areas like top-order batting, finishers, and death-over experts.

With a new strategy and clever additions, PBKS is ready for a potential IPL 2025 season, hoping to break its pattern of unreliability and win its first-ever coveted title. As it implies, it is no surprise that they are one of the favourites to emerge victorious for the forthcoming title. That said, here we look at the two strengths and one weakness of the newest version of the Punjab Kings squad.

Punjab Kings 2025 IPL Squad: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Lockie Ferguson, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Kuldeep Sen, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett, Pyla Avinash, Pravin Dubey.

2 Strengths:

Shreyas Iyer

As the title says it all, no sugarcoating and just cutting to the chase, Shreyas Iyer is the vital strength aspect that Punjab Kings possesses for the 2025 edition of the tournament. After releasing almost everyone from their previous squad, their higher purse value and tactical strategies have given them a chance to completely renovate their team, with Shreyas Iyer's acquisition as the captain being the foundation stone of it.

Whether clinching titles in the domestic circuit for the Mumbai Cricket Team or leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third-ever IPL title, Iyer could convert the dream of the Punjab Kings winning an IPL title into a reality. His impeccable performance with the willow and abilities to bolster the top and middle order is the icing on the cake. It will be interesting to see how the side's colossal INR 26.75 Crore investment in him would be a game-changing move for the team ever since its inception.

Star-studded lineup across all departments

Punjab Kings is a franchise that spent a hefty on several overseas and emerging players in the previous IPL auctions. Though many of them couldn't convert it into valuable performances and ended up on the losing side, this time,e it's been different. With robust intent and valid tactical aspects, Punjab Kings has undergone significant restructuring in a king-size way.

The Punjab Kings' bowling squad, including IPL's leading wicket-taker, Yuzvendra Chahal, reliable wicket-taker Arshdeep Singh the tall and dangerous Marco Jansen, and Kiwi quick Lockie Ferguson, demonstrates their versatility and strength. Also, under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis and Shashank Singh are key players who will most likely bat in the middle order for the side as they go all guns blazing with the bat, where we can expect some high-scoring innings.

1 Weakness:

Limited reliable emerging and domestic campaigners

The Punjab Kings have a good foundation of elite international players and a robust lineup of Indian talent. However, their bench aspect across all the departments is questionable. They lack seasoned domestic Indian players with a successful IPL record. While players like Vishnu Vinod, Nehal Wadhera, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Musheer Khan show potential in the IPL ecosystem, they have yet to influence and impact the competition significantly.

This lack of experience in the backup-hitting lineup might be an issue if their key batters are injured or out of form. In the absence of competent domestic alternatives, the Punjab Kings may struggle to find adequate choices in critical moments, perhaps exposing their batting depth.

While the IPL 2025 is almost two months away from the beginning, Delhi Capitals’ captain name has been decided, according to the latest media reports.

Delhi Capitals were busy at the mega auctions for the IPL 2025. They spent big money on players like KL Rahul (INR 14 crore), Mitchell Starc (INR 11.75 crore), T. Natarajan (INR 10.75 crore), Jake Fraser-McGurk (INR 9 crore), Mukesh Kumar (INR 8 crore), Harry Brook (INR 6.25 crore), Ashutosh Sharma (INR 3.80 crore), Mohit Shama (INR 2.20 crore), Faf du Plessis (INR 2 crore), etc.

However, Delhi Capitals have reportedly decided to choose a familiar face for the leadership role after the release of their last captain Rishabh Pant.

See Also: TATA WPL 2025: Tournament Dates, Teams, and Venues Revealed

Axar Patel will lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025

Axar Patel, who was the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals last season, has reportedly been selected as the captain for the upcoming IPL season. He made his IPL captaincy debut last season when the skipper Rishabh Pant was suspended for the match against the hosts Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where RCB won by 47 runs despite Patel’s half-century. 

Playing for Delhi Capitals since 2019, Patel has scored 967 runs and taken 62 wickets in 82 matches. The left-arm spinner is the third-leading wicket-taker for Capitals, and the left-handed middle-order batter scored three half-centuries for the team and has a batting average of 23.58.

Axar Patel just earns Indian T20I vice-captain role

Axar Patel was recently selected as the T20I vice-captain of the Indian national cricket team, who impressed with his all-rounder performances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. In that tournament, he won the Player of the Match award in the semi-final against the defending champions England and also played a game-changing knock against South Africa in the Final. 

KL Rahul was expected to be the skipper of the Delhi Capitals. However, the present leadership choice is understandable as Rahul is under pressure, especially as a captain, which led to his exclusion from his previous IPL team Lucknow Super Giants. 

Following a dismal previous edition, Gujarat Titans (GT), led by Shubman Gill, would look to rebound in IPL 2025. GT acquired numerous high-quality players in the big auction, leading to ticking all the boxes. Previously, they kept five players. GT's retention of Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, Shahrukh Khan, and Rahul Tewatia was a no-brainer.

Overall, GT is an intriguing team with talented players in its ranks. The Titans are expected to perform well with a strong and seasoned team this season. GT has covered most of its bases, and the 2022 winners appear in good shape. That said, here we look at the major strengths and weakness of the 2025 version of Gujarat Titans.

Gujarat Titans 2025 IPL Squad: Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Sherfane Rutherford, Gerald Coetzee, Glenn Phillips, Sai Kishore, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Gurnoor Brar, Arshad Khan, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Kumar Kushagra, Nishant Sindhu, Manav Suthar, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya.

2 Strengths:

Sorted and formidable top-order batting

Looking at the GT top-order batting lineup, they have firepower throughout. While Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill are at the top, while the English batter can provide energy, Gill will bring stability. Following these two hitters, Sai Sudharsan can routinely provide for the Titans. GT's consistency and aggression among the top three players can potentially hinder even the best opposition bowlers.

As a result, one should anticipate GT to get off to a solid start more frequently than not. Thus, we can see that the club has ample firepower across the lineup. If their batters click, they will not have to worry about losing momentum across their batting timeline, which can be backed up by their promising middle order with the proper set of batters against the varied opposition. 

Perfect variety of pace bowling options

Several pacers of the revamped side contribute depth, diversity, and dynamism to the Titans' bowling attack. With Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Gerald Coetzee, they have their new ball assault in place. Ishant Sharma, with his vast experience, can be pivotal. Aside from a well-organised and strong new ball assault, they have pacers who can be helpful in the death overs. 

Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj will again be the leaders in this situation because they possess a wide range of skills, experience, and reliability. In addition, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, and Kulwant Khejroliya can also provide productive overs in the death overs. In addition, Afghanistan's emerging all-rounder, Karim Janat, adds variety to the ranks, whose medium pace can be utilised to the fullest. 

1 Weakness:

Lack of a reliable finisher or middle-order batter

Gujarat Titans have a solid top order but lack a reliable player who can bolster the middle order and finish the games, as they also play a pivotal role in changing the game's momentum. While Rahul Tewatia has shown promise under pressure, the club still needs a player who can consistently perform in difficult situations. Shahrukh Khan and Anuj Rawat have talent and calibre but has yet to establish as consistent finishers, particularly when chasing high totals or when the top order falters. 

Similarly, Sherfane Rutherford has shown potential in his early international career but has yet to distinguish himself in the IPL format. This lineup gap might be difficult for the Gujarat Titans during crucial times of the forthcoming season.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) squad boasts an excellent balance of youth and experience and some unique assets. Prior to the auction, LSG had retained a total of five players, summing up their reliable and pivotal core. They retained Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav, Nicholas Pooran, and Ayush Badoni. As a result, the team's core structure regarding how LSG intended to proceed had already been established.

In addition, the Uttar Pradesh-based arsenal also created history at the Indian Premier League 2025 super auction by acquiring Team India's reliable keeper batter, Rishabh Pant, for a colossal INR 27 Crore, making him the most expensive player ever purchased in the history of IPL. LSG fell head over heels for Pant after releasing KL Rahul, who commanded the team for three seasons, leading them to two consecutive playoffs. That said, here we look over the two strengths and one weakness of the 2025 LSG squad. 

Lucknow Supergiants 2025 IPL Squad: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Ayush Badoni, Mohsin Khan, Rishabh Pant, Avesh Khan, David Miller, Shahbaz Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Akash Deep, Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Shamar Joseph, M Siddharth, Himmat Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, Digvesh Singh, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Singh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Aryan Juyal.

2 Strengths:

Top-notch and promising overseas players

Apart from the swashbuckling Caribbean wicketkeeper-batter Nicholas Pooran, who has been a consistent contributor for the Lucknow-based side, the roster includes other talented international players, such as David Miller, who will bat in the middle with Mitch Marsh and Aiden Markram. Almost all foreign players are utility players who may be draughted into the XI, depending on the field circumstances.

On paper, LSG has one of the league's finest international players, and it will be intriguing to watch how they deploy them all. Marsh can open and bat in the middle of the order. Similarly, Markram can open and contribute quality four overs.

An army of power-hitters

The Lucknow Super Giants' batting lineup has some of the best power hitters. Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, and Ayush Badoni are key players with the bat. They can easily smash intense lengths and baffling spins, aiming for relatively long square borders in home games. As a result, LSG should be one of the stronger teams in terms of pace next season.

They are led by two of the game's top power hitters, Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran. Both floaters may switch between batting positions depending on the match scenario. The West Indian batter is, without a doubt, the best white-ball ball striker. Add Pant's flamboyance to the mixture and LSG, making him everyone's favourite in the aggressive batters category. 

1 Weakness:

Bleak and inexperienced pace attack

LSG's first-choice pacers will include Shamar Joseph, Mayank Yadav, Akashdeep Singh, and Mohsin Khan. But if any of them are injured, LSG's pace assault will weaken, forcing them to settle for less effective choices. Though Mayank Yadav is a promising campaigner for the Indian Cricket team, thanks to his lethal pace, his consistency and agility will be under the radar for his future performance.

Meanwhile, Mohsin Khan, Shamar Joseph and Akashdeep Singh possess impeccable pace. However, their experience in the shortest game format amongst the power-hitters would be scrutinised, making it a quality unit that lacked understanding. Only time will tell about how much impact they would create with quick deliveries.

IPL 2025 to Align with ICC Code of Conduct for Better Discipline

The major cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL), is going to have some major changes in 2025 because they are beginning to use the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s rules for how players should behave. The individuals or people in charge, called the group that manages cricket in India, said yes to this plan in a meeting they had on Sunday. When the new season begins on March 23, 2025, players will need to pay much more attention to how they behave.

New Rules for IPL 2025

For the first time, the IPL is going to follow the ICC Code of Conduct when it comes to actions that are level 1, 2, or 3 offenses. This change is focused on making the tournament's rules the same as the ones used in international T20 cricket. Before, the IPL used to have its own rules only for the league, which made a special manner of handling how players behaved.

According to BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, the adoption of ICC rules signifies the league’s commitment to fostering fairness and professionalism on the field. “This is a step forward to ensure uniformity in how player behavior is regulated, aligning IPL standards with those of ICC T20I matches,” he stated.

They decided to make some new rules because, during the IPL 2024 season, there were a large amount of times, about ten, when people didn't follow the behavior rules. This showed that they really needed to be tougher on the guidelines.

One of the notable offenders was Harshit Rana from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who was involved in two Level 1 offenses. In one instance, Rana’s flying kiss gesture towards Mayank Agarwal after dismissing him was deemed inappropriate. Additionally, his overly exuberant celebration against the Delhi Capitals resulted in penalties, including fines and a one-match suspension. Other players, such as Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Tim David of Mumbai Indians (MI), also faced penalties for Level 1 offenses during the season. These incidents underscored the urgency for a more disciplined approach to player conduct in the tournament.

“From now on, ICC penalties will apply to all Level 1, 2, or 3 violations. Until now, the IPL had its own Code of Conduct, but moving forward, we’ll follow the ICC T20I guidelines for Playing Conditions.

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Conclusion:IPL 2025: Raising the Bar for Fair Play and Discipline

The IPL is trying to place itself at the top as a major cricket event famous for its excellence and fair play. They want rules based on the ICC Code of Conduct which makes it clear that players have to face tougher penalties for breaking them. This entire effort is about cutting down on conflicts during matches--and making fully sure everyone plays in the right spirit.

Fans can look forward to a more disciplined and fair competition in the 2025 season. The emphasis on better behavior is expected to enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and audiences alike. As the league evolves, the integration of ICC rules reflects its commitment to maintaining the integrity and global appeal of the sport.

The 2025 IPL season is going to be strikingly large because they're bringing in some new rules that match up with the ICC code of conduct. A major change has the sincere intention to make sure players behave properly and sets the standard for how cricket tournaments should be run.

The Delhi Capitals (DC) are preparing for a thrilling IPL 2025 with a rebuilt squad and huge hopes. Following substantial changes at the auction table, DC has reinforced its roster with huge names. After losing Rishabh Pant and missing out on Shreyas Iyer in the IPL 2025 big auction in Jeddah, the Capitals signed KL Rahul for a bargain of INR 14 crore.

Despite these acquisitions, their path to IPL success is filled with obstacles. However, the recently rebuilt group has the potential to do well in the upcoming 2025 edition. This article delves deep into the two key strengths and one weakness of the Delhi Capitals, who have yet to clinch their first-ever IPL title.  

Delhi Capitals 2025 IPL Squad: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mukesh Kumar, Harry Brook, Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Sameer Rizvi, Dushmantha Chameera, Donavan Ferreira, Vipraj Nigam, Manvanth Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, Ajay Mandal, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari.

2 Strengths:

Perfect captaincy arrangement

Though many people have debated his current form and intent, KL Rahul acts as one of the consistent campaigners in the modern days of the sport. Be it when obtaining crucial runs in varied positions or filling the captaincy shoes during the eleventh hour, the wicketkeeper batter has done it all. Though he might go through many lean patches, he has the calibre to produce some commendable comeback.

With Delhi Capitals parting ways with their long-term contributor, Rishabh Pant, the management was eager to seal a deal with a formidable captain for the long-term requirements. And for a stellar INR 14 Crores, Delhi Capitals have bought not just a power-hitter and wicketkeeper but also a perfect prospect for their vacant captaincy spot.  

Right duo of death-over specialists and spinmeisters

DC attempted to improve their bowling lineup, and they did an excellent job. The Capitals signed Mitchell Starc and T Natarajan for a spectacular amount, who are famed for their toe-crushing yorkers. Natarajan and Starc had successful IPL 2024 seasons and are eager to compete in IPL 2025. The final four overs are critical in a T20 contest, and DC has that covered, with Natarajan and Starc bowling the key and tricky overs at the finish.

Regarding spin alternatives, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel don't require an introduction. Other IPL clubs have tremendous spin bowling options, but when it comes to a partnership, particularly an Indian combination will prove to be decisive for the team's bowling unit. 

1 Weakness:

A perplexing batting order arrangement

The involvement of elite players such as KL Rahul and English batsman Harry Brook presents a quandary. Rahul's ideal position is No. 3, but his opener background may contradict team strategy. Similarly, Brook flourishes at the top of the hierarchy but may be demoted to make room for others. Balancing the team will be vital to realising their full potential, particularly for their new and potential captain, KL Rahul. 

However, with players like Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk similarly suited to the top order, the squad may find it challenging to put Rahul into his favourite position without disturbing the batting order. Though they are backed with star players with the bat, it's all about proper planning and strategy that would change the course of action towards Delhi Capitals' first-ever title.

As always, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a unique approach for the Indian Premier League auction. The IPL Mega Auction ahead of the 2025 season was no exception for them. CSK is a team that understands what it wants and has won five championships convincingly.

Following a disappointing IPL 2024 season, CSK will look to rebound and display their capabilities with their gathered roster. Before the auction, CSK retained five players: MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Rituraj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Matheesha Pathirana. CSK has a rich roster of trustworthy domestic and overseas players. That said, here is a list of the two strengths and a weakness of the 2025 Chennai Super Kings side. 

Chennai Super Kings 2025 IPL Squad: Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, R Ashwin, Devon Conway, Khaleel Ahmed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Anshul Kamboj, Sam Curran, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Deepak Hooda, Jamie Overton, Vijay Shankar, Vansh Bedi, Shreyas Gopal, C Andre Siddarth, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

2 Strengths:

Perfect Spinners for Chepauk Conditions

CSK boasts one of the best spin units. With the Chennai pitch predicted to help spinmeisters, CSK will field three spinners and strangle the opposition batters. All three spinners differ from one another, which adds variation. Ravichandran Ashwin, who last played for CSK in 2015, returns to the team after stints with Punjab, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

Ravindra Jadeja has been a consistent performer for CSK as an efficient bowler. Finally, former Gujarat Titans spinner Noor Ahmad was purchased for a whopping INR 10 crores. The emerging Afghan spin has 137 T20 scalps averaging at 23.08. So CSK will rely on 12 excellent overs of spin in Chennai to challenge visiting teams on slow tracks.

Emerging and underdog batting lineup

The five-time IPL winners' batting assault is another significant advantage that the Men in Yellow will be eager to utilise to the utmost. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad are a reliable starting pair, with Rachin Ravindra serving as Conway's backup, and their recent play has been impressive. However, considering CSK's reliance on Indian pacers, Rachin Ravindra, a spin allrounder, might step in at number three.

This means Rahul Tripathi will play fourth, with Shivam Dube at fifth. The top four or five are CSK's best and will be relied on heavily. Dube, in particular, has a role to play and is well-known for his tremendous and swashbuckling hits. And, of course, not to forget our vintage and massy mid-order batting display by Thala, a.k.a, MS Dhoni.

1 Weakness:

Lack of reliable and backup allrounder, hindering the mid and lower-order

CSK stunned everyone when signing Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda. Despite their expertise, they never seemed to hit the ground running in the IPL. Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar can be regarded as CSK's mediocre buy. Overall, both allrounders are solid but not exceptional, but only time will tell if they will unleash their finest performance.

As a result, their lower-order batting lacks quality and experience. It is a paper-thin batting. If Dhoni has fitness difficulties, CSK would struggle in the finishing area. This would compel them to play Overton or Curran, making Rachin Ravindra make his way out of the Playing XI arsenal.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is still yearning for their first Indian Premier League title, and 2025 will be another critical season for the team. In four of the previous five seasons, RCB has made the playoffs before collapsing. Building on this, the courageous army will be eager to go strong and long. The IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah saw RCB construct a decent yet fascinating lineup.

The loyal fanbase-supported squad is once again a team with several fresh faces. So, once again, we're starting from zero. It will be interesting to see if they would go to their veteran, Virat Kohli and persuade this team to play regularly and produce results that need to be seen or go for a new captaincy take in the form of Rajat Patidar, who was phenomenal in the domestic cricket space. Here, we present the two strengths and one weakness that can be taken away from the IPL 2025 RCB squad. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2025 IPL Squad: Virat Kohli, Rajit Patidar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Tim David, Liam Livingstone, Rasikh Salam, Krunal Pandya, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Nuwan Thushara, Lungi Ngidi, Romario Shepherd, Swapnil Singh, Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage, Abhinandan Singh, Lungi Ngidi, Mohit Rathee

2 Strengths:

Strong top and middle-order batting unit

This season, they have a good lineup for batting is RCB's strength. RCB's bases are covered from start to end. What RCB did well was to get Phil Salt. He was a revelation for the Kolkata Knight Riders last season. With Salt in charge, RCB may expect a quick start this season. Salt will begin with Kohli, and the two may create a lethal combination. The opening duo can complement each other, especially given the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium's limited dimensions.

Rajat Patidar is another towering figure who can bat at number three or four. He can serve as the side's fulcrum. England's Liam Livingstone stands out at number five with tremendous hitting power. The side's finishers include Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, and Tim David. Jacob Bethell is the player on the bench with the most potential to make an impact. He is one of the players to watch out for this season, showing promise through his recent international performances. 

Experienced fast-bowling campaigners

RCB's main-pace assault is potent and lethal, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Josh Hazlewood among the players. Bhuvi will effectively use his experience. Hazlewood will provide substance as well. Left-arm bowler Yash Dayal, who was renowned for conceding five sixes in the penultimate over against Rinku Singh of the Kolkata Knight Riders when playing for the Gujarat Titans, has shown to be a valuable asset for RCB and will continue to be. His return is nothing short of an inspiring piece.

Even the likes of Rasikh Salam Dar, who was bought for a colossal INR 6 Crores in the Mega Auction, can play a pivotal role with his emerging potent pace. Nuwan Thusara and Lungi Ngidi are essential players on the bench who can take over if Hazlewood or any of the primary bowlers are rested, citing an injury. 

1 Weakness:

Lack of a frontline spinner

Spin is probably the only biggest weakness for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They rely heavily on Krunal Pandya, a bowling all-rounder. Pandya struggled the previous season, averaging 42.50 and collecting six wickets in 14 matches. Pandya is not the type of bowler who can take 15 or more wickets in a season, as many other teams' spinners do, but can probably hinder the momentum of the opposition batters.

Suyash Sharma, RCB's second spin option, is set to play with Pandya. Suyash, a promising spin prodigy, played a few games for KKR, getting 10 wickets in 13 games. So, it's all about their inexperience, but only time will tell how they will unfold with their spinmeister tricks. Overall, their spin assault may or may not make it through.