IPL 2025 Week 1 Review: Emerging Indian Talent Shines as RCB and Punjab Kings Dominate

As we look back on the past week in the Indian Premier League 2025, it’s been nothing short of  fascinating. We’ve seen surprising results, standout performances, and plenty of moments that  caught our attention. At this stage, discussions naturally revolve around squad selections, team  compositions, and the outcomes of the Mega Auction—everyone forming their own opinions  

on how the teams stack up on paper. 

Now, with a week of matches behind us, the picture is starting to take shape. Some teams, like  Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), have already played three games, while others have only featured  once. The speculation is over, and the real action has begun. 

Speaking of SRH, they were my top pick heading into the tournament, and so far, they’ve  certainly been a team to watch. How have they performed so far? Well, it’s been a mixed bag— they’ve lost two games but also secured an impressive win. Despite the results, I believe it’s  been a strong week for SRH. That might seem contradictory, but the reason is simple: their  squad is packed with quality, both in the batting lineup and the bowling attack. 

The rise of Aniket Verma could be a game-changer for SRH. If their top order had dominated all  three games without him getting much time at the crease, it might have been a concern later in  the tournament. After all, no top order fires consistently throughout a long campaign. However,  

with Aniket already getting valuable time in the middle, he has gained confidence and shown  his potential early on. This not only strengthens SRH’s batting depth but also adds an extra layer  of reliability to their squad. 

Whether SRH anticipated this or not is something only they can answer. But from an outsider’s  perspective, the emergence of Aniket could be one of the biggest positives of their campaign.  He has the potential to be a breakout star of the tournament, and by the time it concludes, SRH  might look back and see this as a blessing in disguise. While their early performances may not  have been as dominant as they’d hoped, in the long run, these initial setbacks could prove  beneficial. Despite a couple of losses, they’ve gained something invaluable—greater squad  depth and a confident young talent ready to step up. 

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) currently sit at the top of the table with two wins, and  they’ve been nothing short of impressive. Rajat Patidar, in particular, has shown exceptional  leadership—calm, composed, and authoritative. He has led from the front with the bat and  made smart decisions on the field. His approach, especially in managing Phil Salt and Virat  Kohli’s intent to capitalise on the powerplay, has been spot on.

Josh Hazelwood has been outstanding in this format, showcasing his versatility with pace, a  deceptive heavy ball, and impeccable length. His bowling craft adds significant strength to  RCB’s attack, and overall, the team looks well-balanced. 

Now, their challenge shifts to playing at home after two successful games on the road. One key  area to watch will be their spin attack, which is likely to be tested throughout the tournament.  Additionally, their middle order and spin combinations will be crucial factors in determining  RCB’s consistency as the competition progresses. 

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have been impressive in many aspects, and Nicholas Pooran has  arguably been the standout player of the tournament so far. His partnership with Mitch Marsh  has been nothing short of exceptional, making them a formidable duo. Their bowling attack,  however, remains somewhat difficult to assess due to injuries. That said, Shardul Thakkar’s  arrival has been a key boost. Despite going unsold in the auction, he has proven himself as a  fierce competitor. What stands out most about Thakur is his fighting spirit, especially on flat  wickets where many bowlers struggle. 

Thakur brings an aggressive approach, always charging in and looking for wickets. His  competitive spirit adds an edge to LSG’s attack. However, I do wonder if they could have  included Shemar Joseph to provide extra firepower, especially given their injury concerns. That  said, their decision paid off with a solid win in their last match. 

As for Punjab Kings (PBKS), having played only one game, it’s still too early to make a strong  judgment. However, Vijaykumar Vyshak made an immediate impact with an impressive  performance, and Priyansh Arya is definitely a player to watch as the tournament progresses. He was outstanding in the first game, and Shashank also delivered a strong performance.  Shreyas Iyer, as always, showcased his class. 

The combination of Iyer as captain and Ricky Ponting as coach looks like a perfect blend of  leadership and tactical expertise. To me, Punjab Kings have appeared the most well-organised side in the first week, both in their planning and execution. With such a structured approach,  there’s plenty to look forward to from them as the tournament progresses. 

Rajasthan Royals secured a solid win against Chennai Super Kings, but I believe they need to  manage their resources more effectively. Shimron Hetmyer, in particular, has been coming in  too late, despite already making an impact with a crucial 40-plus score in the first game. He is  someone who needs to bat higher up the order. 

Their success will heavily rely on their top order finding form. Yashasvi Jaiswal has had a tough  start to the tournament, but there’s no doubting his immense talent and ability. Often, when a 

player struggles for runs, it’s not about form but focus—sometimes, it simply comes down to  watching the ball closely. Observing him now, I’m not entirely sure he’s doing that. 

I think one area he could work on is watching the ball a little longer instead of pre-determining  his shots. There’s no doubt about his ability—it’s only a matter of time before he finds his  rhythm again. Sometimes, when a player struggles for runs, they overanalyse technical aspects  and carry that concern into a match, which only adds to the pressure. Sometimes, the simplest  solution is just watching the ball closely. 

As for Jofra Archer, there have been plenty of encouraging signs. He’s been bowling with pace,  aggression, and a bit of movement, which makes him a crucial asset. If he can set the tone with  the new ball, he’ll be a key player for his team. 

CSK, on the other hand, have had a disappointing start, and their batting lineup seems to be a  concern. Personally, I would simplify things by opening with Devon Conway. I’d also leave out  Sam Curran and Jamie Overton, allowing the rest of the batting order to shift down slightly and  strengthen the middle order. They did make a change yesterday, bringing in Shankar, but they’ll  need to find the right balance moving forward. 

I’d also like to see MS Dhoni bat at number seven. There’s plenty of debate about his ideal  position and the number of balls he should face, but he’s been striking the ball beautifully. Noor Ahmad, on the other hand, has been hugely impressive—his control suggests he’ll be a  dominant force in franchise cricket for years to come. With a mix of consistency and variety,  this is definitely a side to watch. 

Mumbai have had a disappointing start, losing their initial two matches in familiar territory.  There are concerns over their top two batters. If things don’t work out for Ryan Rickelton, they  might consider Will Jacks as an opener and Robin Minz as the keeper—a potentially better  option. However, Rickelton deserves his chance to impress at the top. Additionally, Santner and  Boult are excellent additions that could make a significant impact. 

Looking at previous seasons, the combination of Trent Boult’s early swing and Mitchell  Santner’s spin in the middle has proven to be a winning formula. These two excellent additions  really complete the puzzle. I’m excited about Tilak Varma batting at number three though I’d  still like to see Jacks involved elsewhere. With Surya Kumar Yadav at four, Hardik Pandya at five,  and the promising talent of Vignesh Puthur who an emerging spinner of note is and am really  excited to see his development. MI’s lineup is shaping up nicely. 

Gujarat Titans (GT) have secured one win from two matches, which is an encouraging start,  even though there are still some concerns about the middle order, despite a very dominant top  order. 

I’d like to see Jos Butler open the innings. I’m not entirely clear on Sai Sudharshan’s injury  status, but regardless, Butler should take the opening role. They boast one of the best, if not  the best, bowling attacks in the competition. With incisive bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and  Mohammed Siraj leading the charge, and Prasidh Krishna making a huge impact in the final ten  overs of the last game, alongside the ever-reliable Rashid Khan, their bowling unit is truly  formidable. R Sai Kishore has been exceptional—truly outstanding in both games I’ve seen.  

For Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), they need runs from Quinton de Kock, which is a  straightforward requirement at the top. They managed that in the last game, and Ajinkya  Rahane has contributed well with both his runs and leadership, especially now without Shreyas  Iyer. However, this will be an area to watch for KKR. While they boast a strong bowling attack,  I’m slightly concerned about their batting depth, which places a huge amount of importance on  Venkatesh Iyer. Without Shreyas Iyer, that will undoubtedly be a significant challenge for them,  even with an impressive bowling lineup.  

DC are definitely a team to watch. They have won their first two games and are looking very  good. I firmly believe Delhi Capitals stands out because of its two strike bowlers—Mitchell Starc  with the new ball and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle. Both are on my World XI, and I have  complete faith in their abilities. In these competitions, matches are often decided by the quality  of the bowling unit, and having two incisive bowlers can turn games around swiftly.  Additionally, their experienced lineup can absorb pressure and come through in crunch  situations.  

Ashutosh Sharma was outstanding in their first game, handling pressure with great composure.  Vipraj Nigam has also impressed me with his leg spin and batting, and I’ve already mentioned  Priyansh Arya. It’s been a fantastic week for India’s emerging players—truly what this  competition is about: nurturing young, homegrown talent. Overall, it’s been a strong week with  plenty to reflect on, and I’m eagerly looking forward to week two.