IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli - Every Playoff team's X-factor for the knockouts
Is this the year for King Kohli and RCB?
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are headed for their fifth Playoffs in six seasons, but despite their solid showings year-on-year, they have never won the Indian Premier League, finishing as runners-up on three occasions (2009, 2011 and 2016).
Indeed, despite having won every ICC trophy globally, the IPL title is about the only accolade that Virat Kohli is missing from his collection and the Indian superstar looks determined to put that right this year, entering the Playoffs fifth in the Orange Cap standings, with 548 runs in 12 games.
RCB received a massive boost and one that could prove crucial in the knockouts, with Josh Hazlewood expected to return to the team. The Aussie paceman returned home during the league’s stoppage and has been the team’s chief contributor with the ball, notching up 18 wickets in just 10 games.
Qualifier 1 will take place on Thursday, May 29, and we will be covering every knockout match with our IPL predictions for the remainder of the season.
Punjab Kings set to return to IPL Playoffs
At long last, the Punjab Kings are finally set to feature in the Playoffs of the Indian Premier League, having last reached the knockout stages of the competition in 2014. A balanced and cohesive team setup has been the key to PBKS’s success this season, but they have had a couple of standout performers too.
Ricky Ponting recently commended skipper Shreyas Iyer for his leadership in the competition. Iyer led KKR to the title last season and is the Kings’ leading run-scorer this year with 514 runs in 14 matches. His calming presence and experience will be crucial for the side over the next week.
With the ball, Arshdeep Singh is proving once again why he is one of the best Indian bowlers in the shortest format, currently on 18 wickets. Singh’s ability to keep things tight in the death overs could prove pivotal for PBKS against the likes of Mumbai and Gujarat’s formidable batting lineups.
Gujarat Titans' strength at the top of the order
After a forgettable 2024, the Gujarat Titans claimed a Playoff spot in style this year, winning nine of their first 12 matches before conceding unexpected back-to-back defeats against LSG and CSK in their final two games in the league phase.
This season, GT have the most formidable opening pairing in the competition in the form of Sai Sudharsan and Subman Gill, who currently sit first and second in the leading run-scorer standings, with 679 and 649, respectively.
The Indian batting duo have posted the highest partnership this season of 205 against the Capitals on May 18 and enter the Playoffs with plenty of momentum. Prasidh Krishna also deserves a mention, having claimed 23 scalps, one less than Purple Cap holder Noor Ahmad.
Yadav to lead Mumbai Indians' star-studded cast
On paper, the Mumbai Indians have the best team in the IPL. The five-time champions are set to be without Ryan Rickelton and Will Jacks for the Playoffs, but there is no shortage of class in this team, which still features the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Trent Boult.
However, we feel that Suryakumar Yadav could be the difference-maker with the bat in the knockout rounds. The Indian international has already racked up five half-centuries in the competition and is just nine runs behind Gill for second in the race for the Orange Cap.
Finally, there is no talk of potential match-winners without mentioning Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian speedster missed the start of the competition due to injury, but has picked up 17 wickets in just 10 matches at an incredible average of 14.65 - his best-ever in the IPL.
