Players to Watch in IPL 2025: 6 Potential Cricket Stars Who Can Help Their Teams Dominate Like None Other

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season approaches, cricket fans around the world eagerly await the spectacle of high-intensity matches, explosive batting, and match-winning performances. Over the years, the IPL has not only entertained but also served as a launchpad for young talent while giving seasoned players a stage to further solidify their legacies. With an intense auction behind us and teams stacking up with a mix of international and domestic superstars, certain players stand out as potential game-changers for their respective teams.

In this edition, we highlight six players to watch in IPL 2025—athletes who possess the talent, form, and match-winning ability to turn the tide in their team’s favor. These cricketers have either had a stellar run in international tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, proven their worth in domestic and past IPL seasons, or are expected to significantly impact team performances based on their current form and pre-tournament odds. With franchises banking on their potential, these players could be the ones shaping the course of IPL 2025.

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

Role: Wicketkeeper-Batsman
IPL 2025 Price: ₹27 Crore
Previous Team: Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant, one of India’s most explosive wicketkeeper-batsmen, was the most expensive buy of the IPL 2025 auction, as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured his services for a record-breaking ₹27 crore. Pant, known for his fearless approach and aggressive stroke play, returns to the IPL after recovering from his unfortunate car accident that sidelined him for the 2023 season.

In the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, Pant showed glimpses of his old self, scoring quick runs in crunch situations. His return brings much-needed firepower to LSG’s middle order, where he will be expected to finish games or anchor innings when required. Given his ability to take on top-class bowlers and his electric presence behind the stumps, Pant is a player who can single-handedly change the course of a match.

Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

Role: Middle-Order Batsman
IPL 2025 Price: ₹26.75 Crore
Previous Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

Punjab Kings (PBKS) made a massive investment in Shreyas Iyer, a composed middle-order batsman with leadership qualities, by signing him for ₹26.75 crore. After a stellar ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he played several crucial knocks for India, Iyer has regained his form and confidence at the international level.

Punjab Kings, a team known for its inconsistency over the years, sees Iyer as a stabilizing force in the batting lineup. His ability to handle pressure situations and rotate the strike efficiently in the middle overs will be key for PBKS as they look to break their title drought. If Iyer can combine his classic stroke play with finishing abilities, he could emerge as one of the top batters of IPL 2025.

Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans)

Role: Opening Batsman/Wicketkeeper
IPL 2025 Price: ₹15.75 Crore
Previous Team: Rajasthan Royals

Jos Buttler, a proven T20 specialist, was snapped up by Gujarat Titans (GT) for ₹15.75 crore after Rajasthan Royals released him due to budget constraints. The English wicketkeeper-batsman has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, known for his destructive batting at the top of the order.

With a strike rate close to 150 in T20s, Buttler provides Gujarat Titans with an explosive start in the powerplay. His vast experience in finishing games for England in high-pressure situations, including the Champions Trophy 2025 final, makes him an invaluable asset. If he finds his rhythm early in the tournament, expect Buttler to be among the top run-scorers this season.

Venkatesh Iyer (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Role: All-Rounder (Batting + Medium-Pace Bowling)
IPL 2025 Price: ₹23.75 Crore (Retained)
Previous Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

A crucial part of KKR’s setup, Venkatesh Iyer has cemented his place as one of the best all-rounders in Indian cricket. Retained for a whopping ₹23.75 crore, he was also appointed as KKR’s vice-captain for the 2025 season.

Iyer, who impressed in previous IPL seasons, recently displayed his all-round ability in domestic tournaments, making him a key asset for KKR. With his ability to open the innings or bat in the middle order, alongside his handy medium-pace bowling, he provides flexibility to the team’s combination. If Iyer finds consistency with both bat and ball, KKR will have a massive advantage heading into the tournament.

Varun Chakravarthy (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Role: Mystery Spinner
IPL 2025 Price: ₹10 Crore (Retained)
Previous Team: Kolkata Knight Riders

One of India’s most effective T20 spinners, Varun Chakravarthy enters IPL 2025 in red-hot form. He had an outstanding ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he dismantled New Zealand with figures of 5/42 in the opening match and later delivered a crucial 2/45 in the finals.

Retained by KKR for ₹10 crore, Chakravarthy remains their frontline spinner. With an arsenal of variations, including the googly, carrom ball, and off-spin, he has the ability to deceive even the best batters. Given his form and confidence, expect him to be a Purple Cap contender for most wickets this season.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals)

Role: Top-Order Batsman
IPL 2025 Price: ₹1.10 Crore
Previous Team: N/A (Debutant)

The biggest surprise of the IPL 2025 auction was Rajasthan Royals picking Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 13-year-old cricket prodigy, for ₹1.10 crore. The young batting sensation made waves in domestic cricket and was instrumental in India U-19’s series against Australia, where he smashed a brilliant century.

Rajasthan Royals, known for backing young talent, are investing in the future with Suryavanshi. Though he may not play every game, if given an opportunity, his fearless approach could stun even the best bowlers. If he lives up to the hype, he might just be the youngest player to ever shine in an IPL season.

Understanding Cricket Odds

As IPL 2025 heats up, fans and analysts aren’t just focused on standout performances but also on the numbers behind the game—including cricket odds and how they compare. Cricket odds represent the likelihood of a specific outcome occurring, such as a team winning a match, a batsman scoring a century, or even a bowler taking a certain number of wickets. When comparing the odds here, it’s crucial to look at different bookmakers to find the best value for your bets. A team favored to win will have lower odds, meaning less payout but a higher probability, while an underdog will have higher odds, offering bigger returns but with a lower chance of success.

Successful betting isn’t just about picking a winner—it involves analyzing team form, player fitness, head-to-head stats, pitch conditions, and weather forecasts to make informed predictions. Many platforms offer pre-match odds, allowing bettors to place wagers well in advance, while others provide live betting (in-play betting) where odds fluctuate based on real-time events. Popular betting markets in IPL include match-winner, top batsman, top bowler, toss winner, and total runs (over/under), among others.

Wrap up

The IPL 2025 season promises to be one of the most thrilling yet, with a mix of established superstars and emerging talents ready to take the stage. Rishabh Pant’s fearless hitting, Shreyas Iyer’s consistency, Jos Buttler’s firepower, Venkatesh Iyer’s all-round brilliance, Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s precocious talent make them the players to watch out for this season.