IPL 2025: Half-term report card
A tournament of thrashings – and the occasional thriller.
950/1. Those were the in-running odds for Punjab Kings on Tuesday, as Kolkata Knight Riders cruised towards a chase of just 112.
What followed was almost impossible to believe. KKR collapsed, losing 8 wickets for 33 runs in seven overs of chaos. Just four days after failing to defend 245, PBKs pulled off the greatest heist in IPL history – the lowest total ever defended – to move back into the top four and right into playoff contention.
Then on Wednesday, the season’s first tie. Mitchell Starc held his nerve at the death to send the Delhi Capitals–Rajasthan Royals clash to a super over, and then bowled another gem to seal the points for Delhi.
Two thrillers in two days – but they’ve been the exception this year, not the rule.
Is the Impact Player rule skewing things?
We’re seeing more one-sided contests in IPL 2025, especially in run chases. And the data backs it up.
Two years ago, the average successful chase finished with 9.5 balls to spare. This season, it’s 18. In 2023, more than half of successful chases were completed with six balls or fewer left. This year, it’s just one in four.
When teams successfully defend a total, the average margin of victory hasn’t changed much – still around 25–30 runs. But the tight ones are rarer. In 2023, 30% of such games were won by fewer than 10 runs. This year, it’s 15%.
Why the shift? The Impact Player rule feels like a key factor – the extra batter gives chasing teams more licence to go hard. And maybe an increasing focus on net run rate means more incentive to finish quickly.
From a fan’s perspective, though, it’s a concern. A few blowouts are to be expected, but what we really want to see is the tension and drama of a tight finish.
Team-by-team guide at halfway
Despite the one-sided games, the table remains tight. Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals look to be slipping out of contention – the rest are still in the fight.
With the tournament at its halfway stage, here’s my take on how each team is shaping up.
Chennai Super Kings
Plenty of column inches have been devoted to CSK already this season – mostly focused on MS Dhoni. You could be forgiven for thinking he’s their only player. Batting as low as number nine, on a dodgy knee, he’s usually in too late to influence the outcome – though his 26 off 11 to seal the chase against LSG this week was something approaching vintage Dhoni.
They’ve somehow managed to look both a batter and a bowler short, which is remarkable given the Impact Player rule. They don’t seem to know what their best team is, or what order they should bat in. Their season is all but over, and a rethink is needed for next year.
Verdict: an almost unmitigated disaster – Grade D
Delhi Capitals
A great first half – one blip when they lost their heads in a very achievable run chase against Mumbai. The bowling attack looks solid, with Mitchell Starc’s yorkers at the death and the ever-reliable Kuldeep through the middle.
The one issue is Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top of the order. Hugely talented, yes – but horribly out of form. They’re carrying him at the moment, and should bring in Faf du Plessis as soon as he’s fit.
Verdict: an excellent start – Grade A
Gujarat Titans
GT haven’t yet been hurt by their slightly fragile middle order – mostly because the top three have been excellent. Sai Sudharsan has arguably outshone his bigger-name teammates Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill.
The bowling has been as strong as expected, but Rashid Khan’s dip in form is a concern. He’s bowling defensive lines, and doesn’t look the threat of previous seasons. Still, if the top order keeps firing, they’ll be in the mix.
Verdict: a good first half – Grade A-
Kolkata Knight Riders
Feast or famine. KKR have either looked unstoppable or completely off the boil. They’ve thrown away winning positions more than once – most notably in the ludicrous collapse against Punjab.
That said, they’ve also blown away CSK and SRH with some tight bowling. Varun and Narine have done the job in the middle overs, and Harshit Rana has impressed. If Nortje can find form and they find some consistency, there’s still hope. Dre Russ doesn’t quite look the finisher of old, though.
Verdict: a mixed bag – Grade B-
Lucknow Super Giants
A solid outfit. The Markram–Marsh opening combo has clicked nicely, and Nicholas Pooran has been outstanding – smashing sixes for fun and leading the Orange Cap race.
Rishabh Pant, their record signing and captain, hasn’t delivered. And the bowling has been a tad expensive early on. But overall they look balanced and should push hard for a playoff spot.
Verdict: a well-disciplined unit – Grade B+
Mumbai Indians
A familiar story. Big names, little cohesion. They’ve been outplayed in games they should’ve won – including by CSK, who are bottom of the table.
The team doesn’t seem settled, and Rohit Sharma has yet to properly fire. Their hopes rest heavily on Jasprit Bumrah dragging them through the second half. Maybe the SRH win gives them some momentum from here.
Verdict: must try harder – Grade C
Punjab Kings
Regular readers will know PBKs were my fancy pre-tournament. They’ve had their moments, but haven’t quite delivered on their potential. Without the freak win over KKR, they’d be struggling.
Rookie opener Priyansh Arya looks a serious talent, and the batting has mostly held up. But they desperately need consistency with the ball – that Sunrisers chase of 246 was brutal. If Chahal can maintain the form he showed against KKR, they’re in with a shout.
Verdict: just about okay – Grade B+
Rajasthan Royals
Expensive with the ball, underpowered with the bat. They were tipped to finish bottom before a ball was bowled – and nothing we’ve seen so far suggests otherwise.
Letting go of Jos Buttler – a franchise stalwart with over 3,000 runs – is looking more and more like a mistake. Jaiswal’s been solid, and Archer’s improving, but they’re still miles off the pace.
Verdict: somewhat lacklustre as expected – Grade C
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Four wins on the road, two losses at the Chinnaswamy – and probably outperforming expectations (or mine, at least).
Phil Salt has given them some blistering starts (where was this form when opening for England?), and Hazlewood has led the attack with discipline. They’ve been efficient more than dazzling, but in a year where most teams have lacked consistency, that might be enough. I’d be surprised if Jacob Bethell doesn’t get a game soon – likely in place of Livingstone.
Verdict: solid but effective – Grade B
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Pre-tournament favourites for many, and with that top five, it’s easy to see why. But if Abhishek and Head don’t put a partnership together, the whole thing unravels.
They’ve been brilliant in flashes, but hopelessly one-dimensional when Plan A fails. Losing Zampa for the season weakens an already shaky bowling attack. From here, a playoff push looks optimistic to say the least.
Verdict: flashes of brilliance but ultimately disappointing – Grade C-
Betting update
I’m happy with the 11/1 I took on PBKs before the tournament. Most prices look about right now, but RCB are way too short at 4/1 – they’re almost certainly the wrong favourites. LSG at 6/4 to make the playoffs implies a 40% chance, but I reckon it’s better than that, and might warrant a small investment.