IPL 2025 Week 3 Review: Mumbai beginning to find form while Indian bowlers shine in week tough for bowlers

When I look at the IPL 2025 points table, the first thing that stands out is that the top two  teams – Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals – have just lost their most recent matches. That’s  really tightened things up at the top, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season. 

You’ve got two powerhouse teams—Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad — currently  sitting in 7th and 9th place, but I still expect them to make a strong push. They’ve had a  rough patch lately, but with the second half of the tournament ahead, there’s every chance  they’ll climb back into contention.  

It’s tough to make solid predictions about the playoff spots right now, because teams are  constantly beating each other and throwing up surprises. The competition is wide open. 

It’s been a big week for Mumbai. They began with a tough loss but ended on a high with a  dramatic win. With Jasprit Bumrah back in the mix, this feels like their moment. The team is  starting to click, and now’s their chance to build on that strong finish to the week and really  gather momentum. 

I also feel that Mumbai are beginning to find a bit more cohesion at the top of the order.  While they’ll be hoping for more consistency from Rohit Sharma, Surya Kumar Yadav has  been in good touch, and the combination of Ryan Rickelton and Tilak Varma has really  strengthened that 2-3-4 slot. It’s looking much more settled now compared to the start of  the tournament. 

They’re still figuring out how best to fit Will Jacks into the lineup, but I think they’ve got it  right with the current 2-3-4 combination. As for the broader picture this week, one  interesting trend is the balance between teams batting first and second—it’s been a fairly  even split, which shows how competitive the matches have been. 

With the dew factor in play, many captains still prefer to win the toss and chase. But this  week has shown that there’s plenty on offer for teams batting first as well. That kind of  balance is great for the competition—it means the toss isn’t dictating outcomes too  heavily. And beyond that, it’s also been a standout week for left-handed openers. 

The first time I watched Priyansh Arya play was at the start of this tournament, and straight  away you thought —wow, this player’s got serious talent. Scoring 103 off 42 balls was  simply incredible—an innings that will no doubt give him a huge boost in confidence going  forward. And then you look at Abhishek Sharma’s 141—equally remarkable. An  extraordinary knock from an extraordinary player.

I watched him during the T20 series against England, and Abhishek was simply  sensational. The way he struck the ball, the way he used the bowlers’ pace—it was  something else. Once he found his rhythm in that series, he dismantled 90-95 mph bowling  with ease. He’s an exceptional talent, and it was great to see him step up with a significant  contribution just when his team needed it most. 

There have been some strong performances across the board, even if these knocks were  not big hundreds. One example is Sai Sudharsan, who has been remarkably consistent—I  really enjoy watching him play. He’s tall, elegant, and has a touch of class. Travis Head has  also chipped in with a big score, and now Yashasvi Jaiswal looks like he’s finding form  again—which is exactly what Rajasthan Royals desperately need. For RR, Jaiswal at the top  of the order and Archer leading the bowling attack are absolutely vital. Those two players  hold the key to their campaign. 

Devon Conway came in and scored a solid 69. He’s a major asset to the team this season,  and bringing him back into the lineup has really strengthened their setup. That said,  perhaps no one has been more impressive than Nicholas Pooran. Among all the standout  performances from left-handed batters, Pooran’s explosive form with the bat truly stands  out. No doubt, it has been a week where the left-handers have really stood out.  

But I also want to highlight some of the bowlers. With so many 200+ scores, it’s been a  tough week for the bowlers overall. That said, when you look at India’s bowling line-up,  they’ve held their own. Take Arshdeep Singh’s performance against SRH—1 for 37. He’s  been solid. On the surface, you might wonder why I’m highlighting a 1-for-37 performance.  But when you consider the context—playing on a massive, high-scoring ground, against a  side in great form, and with a substantial total to defend—those figures are impressive. It’s  a testament to Arshdeep’s skill and composure, and I’m a big fan of his.  

As for Kuldeep, his performance has been outstanding as well. Take his 2-for-17  performance against RCB, for example. When you’re a team with star bowlers, the key  moments that can turn the tide are crucial. And Kuldeep has been exceptional in those  moments, really stepping up to bring his team back into contests.  

Varun Chakaravarthy has been impressive as well. He took 2-for-22 against CSK, but  equally important was his performance against LSG, where he finished with 0-for-31. In a  high-scoring game, while wickets are always the goal, keeping things tight like he did is just  as valuable. 

Harshal Patel’s against Punjab was equally impressive. In a high-scoring match with huge  totals, he took 4-for-42 from his 4 overs. On the surface, 42 runs might seem a bit high, but  taking 4 wickets in such a game is incredibly impressive. Shardul Thakur has been 

consistent throughout the tournament, and especially this week, chipping in with key  wickets—one here, two there—always contributing to the team’s performance. In a week  where batting has often taken the spotlight, India’s bowlers have really stepped up and  held their own. 

RCB’s impact has been undeniable, especially this week. They’ve won two out of their  three games and are looking strong. To me, they seem heavily reliant on their top order,  which is firing on all cylinders. Phil Salt has been outstanding, with an incredible strike  rate, and Virat Kohli has also been in great form. 

The Salt-Kohli partnership at the top for RCB has truly been a revelation. They’ll need to  keep that momentum going. While Rajat Patidar continues to contribute with the bat, it’s  clear that if RCB is to be a serious contender come playoff time, their top order will be  absolutely vital. 

LSG have been somewhat of an enigma this week. Rishabh Pant is gradually finding his  rhythm in the league, and I’m confident he’s close to hitting his best. They also have  Nicholas Pooran, Aiden Markram, and Mitch Marsh in the lineup, although Marsh has had a  few niggles along the way. Their top order has performed better than most, and Bishnoi is  gradually returning to form—he’s not quite at his best yet, but he’s improving as the  tournament progresses. 

There are so many teams still posing a real threat when you look at the standings. Take  Punjab Kings, for example—it’s hard to believe they lost that game after posting a massive  total of 245 for 6. Despite the loss vs SRH, they look a strong side.  

The only real concern at the moment is CSK. For me, CSK are still experimenting—trying  different combinations and balancing their side. But they just can’t seem to find any  consistency with the bat. They’re struggling to put together any substantial innings. Tripathi  has been out of form, and now Ruturaj Gaikwad is injured, which only adds to their  challenges. 

They’ve brought in a young 17-year-old in Ayush Mhatre, and I wish him all the best if he  gets a chance. But at the end of the day, that top order really needs to step up. It has to  provide the bowlers with something to work with. They need to provide the bowlers with  

something to work with. Right now, they’re in a situation where they have no choice but to  start winning and go on a big run. Even then, it might not be enough. Losing at home has  been a major issue for them.