Analysing IPL Winners: Which Past Champion Will Rule The 2025 Season?

MI, KKR & CSK have won multiple IPLs [Source: @ShamimSports, @Hurricanrana_27, @ImTanujSingh/x.com]

The IPL is no stranger to unpredictable twists, thrilling finishes and fairy-tale comebacks. However in the middle of all the chaos, one thing remains constant: the dominance of past champions.

IPL winners from 2008 to 2024 - Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Gujarat Titans (GT), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) -  have all lifted the trophy at least once and proved they know how to win the biggest T20 league in the world.

But which of these teams will rise above the rest in IPL 2025? Who has the squad depth, leadership and match-winners to go all the way this season?

Let’s break down the numbers, analyze strengths and weaknesses and see which past champion is best positioned to dominate IPL 2025.

Retained Players: The Core of Each Team

Retaining a solid core is the foundation of success in the IPL. Here’s a look at the key players each of these teams have held on to for IPL 2025:

Past Performance: Which Team Has the Winning DNA?

Here’s how the six past champions have fared over the years in the IPL:

Gujarat Titans have the best win percentage, but they’ve only played for three seasons. CSK and MI have been consistent forces, while RR and SRH have had mixed success.

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Strengths and Weaknesses Of Past IPL Champions

Chennai Super Kings

Strengths:

• Winning mentality with MS Dhoni guiding the squad.
• A strong spin attack featuring Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Noor Ahmad suited for Chepauk.

 Weaknesses:

• An aging squad with potential injury concerns.
• Thin middle order reliant on unproven names.

Mumbai Indians

Strengths:

• A lethal pace attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Deepak Chahar and Trent Boult.
• Explosive middle order with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

Weaknesses:

• Overreliance on injured pacers.
• Weak spin attack compared to other contenders.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Strengths:

• Power-hitting finishers like Andre Russell and Rinku Singh.
• A world-class spin duo in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.

Weaknesses:

• Middle order lacks explosiveness beyond a few key players.
• Inconsistent pace attack outside of Nortje.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Strengths:

• Destructive top 5 featuring Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen & Nitish Kumar Reddy.
• Smart leadership under Pat Cummins.

Weaknesses:

• Bowling attack lacks depth.
• No proven finishers in the lower middle order.

Gujarat Titans

Strengths:

• Strong top 3 with Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler & Sai Sudharsan.
• A formidable bowling attack led by Kagiso Rabada.

Weaknesses:

• Middle order is inconsistent and lacks a reliable anchor.
• Death bowling.

Rajasthan Royals

Strengths:

• Explosive batting with Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Shimron Hetmyer.
• Strong Indian core providing stability.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of experienced finishers.
• Over-reliance on a few key players.

Playoff Stats: Who Delivers When It Matters?

CSK, MI, and KKR have the best track record in playoffs, proving their ability to perform under pressure.

Final Verdict: Who Will Rule IPL 2025?

Based on past records, squad balance and playoff performances, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stand out as the strongest contenders for IPL 2025.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) follow closely behind. KKR’s explosive all-rounders and spin arsenal make them a big threat while GT has the best win percentage historically and an exciting young core under Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are the least likely to dominate IPL 2025. SRH has a robust batting lineup but their bowling attack is shaky and they have struggled in high-pressure games. RR has an inconsistent track record and their over-dependence on a few key players could cost them against well-rounded teams.

So, if we were to rank them based on potential performance in IPL 2025:

1. Mumbai Indians (Strongest squad + Big-match experience)
2. Chennai Super Kings (Consistency + Playoff mentality)
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (Explosive hitters + Spin depth)
4. Gujarat Titans (Top-order dominance + Balance)
5. Sunrisers Hyderabad (Power-hitting but weak bowling)
6. Rajasthan Royals (Inconsistent + Lack of reliable finishers)

While MI and CSK remain the safest bets, KKR and GT could be dark horses and SRH and RR will have to fix major flaws to challenge for the title. One thing’s for sure: IPL 2025 is going to be an all-out battle.

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