IPL 2025: Best Possible Playing XI for All 10 Teams

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling season, with all 10 teams assembling their squads after spending a record-breaking ₹639.15 crore. While the auction helped teams fill key gaps, the real challenge lies in crafting the best possible playing XI and ensuring on-field cohesion. With the Impact Player rule still in place, teams now have the flexibility to balance their batting and bowling strengths, making squad depth more crucial than ever.

As the tournament edges closer to March start, the focus shifts to the strongest combinations each franchise can field. By evaluating past IPL performances, domestic form, and international records, we’ve ranked the best possible playing XI for every team, including their Impact Player. Let’s check best possible playing XI for all 10 IPL teams in 2025 and see which squads have the edge heading into IPL 2025.

Best Possible Playing XI for Each IPL 2025 Team

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Delhi Capitals (DC)

Playing XI: KL Rahul, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abhishek Porel (wk), Harry Brook, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar

Impact Player: Mohit Sharma

Delhi Capitals (DC) have a strong bowling attack, but their batting needs to be more reliable. KL Rahul is expected to lead, though Axar Patel is also an option. The team has good batters up to number six but lacks experienced finishers.

With only five main bowlers, they might need to add either an extra batter like Harry Brook or another bowler for balance. Their success in IPL 2025 will depend on how well their overseas batters perform and how they handle pressure in tough matches.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Gujarat Titans (GT)

Playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Mahipal Lomror, Washington Sundar, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj

Impact Player: Prasidh Krishna

Gujarat Titans (GT) will rely heavily on key players like Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, Jos Buttler, and Sai Sudharsan in IPL 2025. Their top order looks strong, but the middle order lacks consistency, which could be a challenge in close matches.

Players like Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, and Washington Sundar will need to step up to provide stability. On the bowling front, GT has a solid attack, which will be their biggest strength. If their middle-order finds form, they can be strong contenders for the playoffs.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (wk), Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad

Impact Player: Khaleel Ahmed

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a strong and balanced team for IPL 2025. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, their batting is deep, going till number nine. Their biggest strength is spin, with Jadeja, Ashwin, and Noor Ahmad. Pathirana and Curran add power to the pace attack.

With many all-rounders and good bowling options, CSK look like a top team. They have a great chance to reach the playoffs and even win their sixth IPL title.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Varun Chakravarthy

Impact Player: Vaibhav Arora

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enter IPL 2025 with a familiar core, retaining most of their 2024 title-winning squad. While they have made a few changes, replacing Shreyas Iyer, Phil Salt, and Mitchell Starc with Ajinkya Rahane, Quinton de Kock, and Anrich Nortje, their overall balance remains strong.

With match-winners like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, KKR still possess a dangerous lineup. However, the leadership gap left by Iyer’s departure will be crucial to address.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)

Playing XI: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Mayank Yadav

Impact Player: Avesh Khan

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will enter IPL 2025 with a strong batting lineup, featuring four quality overseas batters. Led by Rishabh Pant, their top order looks solid, but the lower order lacks experience, which could be a concern in close matches.

The biggest challenge for LSG will be their bowling attack, as it is entirely reliant on Indian players. Their success will depend on how well their bowlers handle pressure in crucial moments.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Mumbai Indians (MI)

Playing XI: Will Jacks, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Robin Minz (wk), Naman Dhir, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Jasprit Bumrah

Impact Player: Trent Boult

Mumbai Indians (MI) will enter IPL 2025 as one of the strongest teams, with a powerful top-order and a top-class bowling attack. However, their main concern lies in the lower order, which lacks experience. If young finishers like Naman Dhir and Robin Minz step up, MI will become an even bigger threat.

With a solid core and match-winning bowlers, they have the potential to dominate. If their key batters contribute 400+ runs in the season, a playoff spot looks almost certain.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Punjab Kings (PBKS)

Playing XI: Marcus Stoinis, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Glenn Maxwell, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Lockie Ferguson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

Impact Player: Kuldeep Sen

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will begin IPL 2025 with Shreyas Iyer as their new leader, but their squad lacks experience compared to other teams. While they have decent batting depth till number eight and multiple bowling options, their success will depend on how well young players like Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, and Nehal Wadhera perform.

If these uncapped players rise to the occasion and experienced stars like Iyer and Glenn Maxwell deliver in crunch moments, PBKS could be a surprise package this season.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Playing XI: Sanju Samson (c & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Rana, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

Impact Player: Sandeep Sharma

Rajasthan Royals (RR) head into IPL 2025 with a strong Indian batting core and a world-class overseas bowling attack. With Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Nitish Rana leading the batting unit, and Jofra Archer, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana strengthening the bowling, RR look well-balanced.

However, their lower-order lacks depth, which could be a challenge in tight matches. Managing a new bowling lineup will be crucial for Samson, but if their key players perform, RR can be one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Playing XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Liam Livingstone, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Rasikh Dar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal

Impact Player: Suyash Sharma

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have assembled a strong squad for IPL 2025, with a powerful batting lineup that extends till number seven. Their focus remains on pace-heavy bowling, which suits Chinnaswamy but could be a challenge on spin-friendly pitches.

While Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will lead the attack, the likes of Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, and Krunal Pandya will need to step up for better balance. If their bowlers deliver consistently, RCB could be a serious contender for the title this season.

IPL 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Playing XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Kamindu Mendis, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (c), Harshal Patel, Rahul Chahar, Mohammed Shami

Impact Player: Simarjeet Singh

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will enter IPL 2025 with one of the most explosive batting lineups, featuring power-hitters like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Heinrich Klaasen. Their aggressive approach makes them a dangerous side, but their lower order lacks depth.

To balance this, SRH will rely on their experienced bowling attack, led by Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, and Harshal Patel. If their batting firepower is backed by consistent bowling performances, SRH could be a strong contender for the IPL 2025 title.

• CSK, MI, and KKR have the most balanced squads, offering depth in both batting and bowling.
• RCB and GT have a strong top order but rely heavily on specific players.
• PBKS and LSG are filled with young talents but lack experience under pressure.
• SRH and DC boast strong bowling units but need consistency in their batting.