Best and worst of IPL 2025 league stage

After a delayed but thrilling league phase, IPL 2025 has officially entered the playoff stage, with four teams now vying for the coveted title beginning Thursday. The 18th edition of the cash-rich league witnessed everything from a teenage prodigy’s explosive arrival to a temporary suspension caused by geopolitical tensions. Below is a recap of the season’s most captivating storylines:

Elusive 300-run mark remains intact

Sunrisers Hyderabad came close to breaking the mythical 300-run barrier in March, when they amassed 286-6 against Rajasthan Royals, driven by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 106. While that innings sparked hopes of a record-shattering season, no team crossed the 250 mark again until the final matchday. In their last league outing, the Sunrisers hammered 278-5, powered by a breathtaking 105 not out from Heinrich Klaasen off just 39 balls.

Suryavanshi, the teenage sensation

Rajasthan Royals’ 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi took the cricketing world by storm, delivering a performance far beyond his years. In a stunning display of fearless stroke play, he smashed the Gujarat Titans bowlers en route to the second-fastest century in IPL history, a 35-ball masterclass featuring 11 sixes and 7 fours. Only Chris Gayle`s iconic 30-ball hundred in 2013 stands ahead of him. Suryavanshi capped off a sensational debut season with a composed 57-run knock against Chennai Super Kings in his final league appearance.

Dharamsala chaos

One of the darkest moments of the season occurred on May 9, when the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match in Dharamsala was abandoned due to cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan. Air raid sirens echoed through the venue, forcing players off the field and fans to evacuate as explosions were reported near Jammu, approximately 200 kilometers away. The IPL was suspended for a week as airspace closures forced players and staff to flee by train to New Delhi. Although play resumed on May 17 under a temporary ceasefire, Delhi Capitals` Mitchell Starc, who experienced the incident firsthand, chose not to return.

Pricey Pant

Lucknow Super Giants made headlines at the auction by signing Rishabh Pant for a record 3.21 million dollars, hoping his aggressive style and leadership would carry them deep into the tournament. However, the star wicketkeeper-batsman struggled to justify the investment. His captaincy and form faltered as Lucknow exited the playoff race with two games to spare. Although he finally showcased his brilliance with a valiant 118 off 61 balls in their last game, it proved too little, too late.

Dhoni’s uncertain future amid CSK’s fall

Chennai Super Kings experienced a dramatic fall from grace, finishing at the bottom of the table for the first time in franchise history. The 2023 champions were led once again by MS Dhoni after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined mid-season. Despite his legendary stature, Dhoni couldn’t spark a turnaround. CSK were the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention, though they ended on a high with an 83-run win over Gujarat Titans. As speculation mounts about his future, the 43-year-old icon stated he was in `no hurry` to announce retirement.

(With AFP inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day